The Nurse by J. Corrigan (list of ebook readers txt) 📕

taken the blame for Miles because she felt she owed that much to him?

Or did she kill Abe in revenge for what Abe’s parents did to her? Was that her motivation? If it was… If it was, it doesn’t bear thinking about, because it makes Rose a psychopath. Theo studies her. She is not a psychopath, he knows that.

The warning bell for the end of visit time fills the hall.

‘I’m seeing Ed Madden’s partner,’ he says, quickly shaking off his previous thoughts. ‘There’s something I think he can tell me about Daniel Deane.’ He pauses. ‘And I’ve met Bella Bliss.’

‘Has she told you anything? I’ve written to her, but she hasn’t replied. I’ve told no one about what she said.’

‘Ed’s partner, Hugo, is Bella’s brother. I’m hoping to find out from him what Bella didn’t tell you. Abe knew something too, I’m sure of it. I need to discover what it was.’ He extends his back into his chair. ‘Do you really think you saw your mum, Ed and Abigail at Bluefields the day you went into labour?’

‘It’s all so hazy, but I’m certain my mum was there, and Ed. Abigail, I’m not so sure.’

Ignoring the warning stare of the guard, he leans over the table and kisses her on the cheek. She turns her head and briefly his lips touch hers.

‘Don’t beat yourself up about your son, Theo. You’re a good man.’

He lifts his shoulders in reply, smiles sadly and turns to leave.

Darkness fills him as he makes his way to the prison exit. In his car, he flips on his mobile and a stream of texts appears. The one that snatches at his gut is from Natasha, sent three hours before.

I’ve found an email from Abe, sent the morning of the day he was taken into hospital. It was in my spam. He did go to see Ed Madden, who told him he wasn’t Abigail’s son. Abe thought he could find out who his real mother was. Maybe Daniel wasn’t his father either?? Call me, Theo.

Ed Madden could have been lying to Abe out of spite, but something tells Theo he wasn’t. It all fits. Abigail’s treatment of Abe as he was growing up, the argument between her and Zakaria… yes, it all makes sense. And as for whether Daniel Deane is Abe’s real father… it could be true and would explain why there was no love lost between father and son, because Theo has seen no evidence of Daniel’s love for Abe. He didn’t even go to see him in hospital. Maybe Abe had been adopted by the couple, which would explain Abe’s feeling of isolation as a child and teenager, always feeling as if he didn’t belong. But then why had they adopted him if they didn’t want him? If they’d adopted a baby, Abe’s EDS wouldn’t have yet been diagnosed and the couple would have been unaware of Abe’s imperfection.

He calls Natasha, and then Bella to check that Hugo is still coming to his flat. He also needs to make a surprise visit to Marion soon.

He starts the car and thinks of Rose, and cannot stop thinking about her for the whole journey home.

50

Rose

Theo’s been gone for two hours, and I’m in Don’s room waiting to be interviewed by DI Alison Greenwood again. She’s due at 3 p.m. I’ve been in here for half an hour already. Restless, I stand and take the few steps towards the other side of the small room and stare at the digital clock on the wall. It shows 2.59 p.m. and as it flips to the hour, the door clicks open. As I already know, Alison Greenwood is efficient. I liked her when I met her before and I’ve no reason to believe I won’t still like her on a second meeting, although I’m intrigued to know what’s instigated it.

She smiles at me, and then at the custody officer who has accompanied her. He closes the door and she turns. ‘Rose, it’s good to meet you again.’

‘You too,’ I say, walking back to the chair and sitting down. I do still like her, and she still has an honest face.

‘There is something you should know, Rose, and I wanted to tell you myself.’

An ominous feeling pervades the pit of my stomach.

She carries on. ‘Daniel Deane and his wife have disappeared.’

‘Disappeared?’

‘Yes.’

‘That’s not a crime.’

‘No, it isn’t, but his criminal involvement at the Mount Clinic is. Several months ago, a woman came forward with serious allegations against the clinic and Daniel Deane. I didn’t tell you about this on our first meeting for various reasons, one being that it’s an ongoing investigation. However, during these investigations, Daniel and Abigail Deane have absconded.’ She pauses. ‘And since their disappearance, we’ve had several other women contact us.’ She looks at me. ‘We’re keen to find him and his wife.’

I study her well-structured features. ‘I don’t think there’s anything I can tell you. I really don’t. I wasn’t lying to you before; I had no knowledge of the Mount Clinic.’

‘I believe that to be true,’ Alison Greenwood says.

I nod. ‘I hope you find the Deanes.’

‘We will.’ She hasn’t moved position. ‘Rose…’

‘Yes?’

‘The prison’s director tells me you are talking with the writer Theo Hazel.’

‘I am.’

‘Do you think that’s a wise move?’

‘I think it’s a very wise move,’ I reply.

She buttons up her raincoat. ‘I’ll be in contact soon.’ She lays the palm of her hand on my arm and looks me in the eye. I smile, but I know it’s a desolate attempt.

The detective turns and leaves me alone in the room.

51

29 April 2016

I look across at Cathy. We are sitting at a table in the canteen that only accommodates two people. I am playing with my spag bol. I can’t eat it. Alison Greenwood’s visit a few days before is still bothering me. Where is all this leading?

‘Do you feel any guilt at all about what you did?’ I’ve never asked Cathy this direct question before.

‘Yes, I do,’ she says, her voice