Web of Lies by Sally Rigby (best book club books of all time .txt) 📕

He didn’t think he could get out of bed, anyway. He’d have to call Birdie, and ask if she could help as Elsa couldn’t be left alone all night.

‘What time is it?’

‘Ten forty-five.’

‘I need to contact someone. Where’s my phone?’

‘We put all your belongings in a bag at the bottom of your bed.’ She opened it, pulled out his phone and handed it to him.

He hit the speed dial for Birdie.

‘Missing me already? What do you want?’ Her cheerful voice echoed in his ear, causing him to flinch.

‘I’m in hospital. I was attacked.’

She gasped. ‘What? Which hospital?’

He glanced at the nurse. ‘Where am I?’

‘Leicester Royal Infirmary.’

‘I heard that,’ Birdie said. ‘Are you okay?’

‘I’m alive.’

‘Crap, Seb. I’ll get to you as soon as I can.’

‘Elsa’s on her own. Can you look after her for me tonight?’

‘Of course, you don’t even have to ask. Just hang tight and don’t do anything stupid like trying to leave.’

‘I’ve already done that and wasn’t able to move. I’m sorry to interrupt your evening.’

‘Don’t be daft. I’m still at the pub, anyway. I’ll be with you soon. Don’t give the nurses a hard time.’

He finished the call and dropped the phone next to him.

‘Can I have some water?’ he asked, his voice all croaky.

‘Not until we get the X-ray results back I’m afraid, in case the doctors need to operate.’

‘I take it that means no painkillers either.’

He touched his face. Was there any place they didn’t get? He played rugby, for goodness’ sake, so was used to getting bashed, but this was at a whole new level. And with a baseball bat, too.

Did they speak to him? He had a vague recollection that they did. It was all a bit hazy.

‘I’ll check if we can give you some IV pain relief.’

The nurse left the cubicle and he closed his eyes. He must have drifted off because when he opened them Birdie was standing by him, her mouth open wide.

‘Oh, my God. Look at you.’

‘Elsa. You said you’d take care of her.’

‘I will. Give me your keys and I’ll go after I’ve left here. I’ll stay with her until you’re well enough to go back to the house. Can you remember what happened?’

Even in this state, the memories were there waiting for him to access.

‘I was walking home and after I went past the old grammar school, I thought I was being followed, but every time I turned there was no one there.’

‘Were you followed from the pub, do you think?’

‘Not that I noticed. But I wasn’t looking out for it. I’d just turned into Heygate Street when I was attacked by two men. One of them had a baseball bat. They took my wallet.’

‘It was a mugging?’

‘I don’t think so. They took it as an afterthought.’

‘To make it look like you’d been mugged?’

‘Yes.’ He dragged in a breath. How could talking hurt so much?

‘If you’re right, do you think it’s related to the case? Had we got close to uncovering something without realising?’

‘I don’t know.’ He turned slightly and winced.

‘Has anyone from the force been to see you?’

‘Not yet.’

‘What did the doctors say?’

‘They’re waiting for X-ray results to see what damage has been done. I’ve got to stay here until they can find me a bed on one of the wards.’

‘I’m at work tomorrow so I’ll come back and take a statement. Don’t worry about Elsa, she’ll be fine with me.’

‘The food …’

‘I’ll find everything. Where’s the key?’

‘Try the bag at the end of the bed. The address is on the fob.’

She opened it. ‘Found it.’ She waved it under his nose. ‘Does Elsa get fed twice a day?’

‘Yes.’ He nodded.

‘She’ll be fed, watered, and walked. Remember, I worked at the kennels and know what to do, so don’t worry.’

He’d forgotten, but now she reminded him he felt better about leaving her in charge of Elsa.

‘Thank you. I—’

The curtain opened and the nurse walked in, interrupting him. ‘All you have are broken ribs, the rest of you is fine, apart from the cuts and bruising. The doctor has prescribed some painkillers which I’ll get for you.’

‘Can I go home?’ he asked, thinking that Birdie could take him.

‘No, because of the concussion, as I’ve already told you. You’re on half-hourly obs.’

‘I’m going now. Take it easy’ Birdie said. ‘Don’t take any crap from him,’ she said to the nurse, grinning at Seb as she left.

Chapter 23

16 May

Birdie tossed and turned all night, unable to get the sight of Seb’s battered face from her mind. It could’ve been so much worse. The attackers must have been very strong to do something like that to someone of his size. Then again, it was two against one and they had a weapon. She couldn’t sit back and let someone else deal with the case, she’d make sure it was hers. Before going to bed, she’d sent an urgent email request to the Leicestershire secure control room, which luckily operated twenty-four-seven, asking for access to all CCTV footage in and around the area where Seb was attacked. She assumed it would be there for her in the morning.

Finally, at six o’clock, she got up to see to Elsa, who she already adored. After feeding and walking her, Birdie headed home, where she had a quick shower and grabbed a bowl of cereal.

She then drove to work intent on checking the CCTV footage from the area to try to identify the attackers. She stopped at the machine in the corridor for a coffee and set to work. None of the team had arrived yet, which meant no interruptions or having to explain what she was doing. She also wanted to get to the hospital as soon as possible to see how he was. It was too early to phone in case it woke him up.

The link to the footage had been emailed to her and she called it up on her screen. She watched from when he’d left the pub, heading up High Street. The streets were