Page 91 of Conviction

The copper frowns and looks at his colleague.

“Sir, we were led to believe that the young lady in question is Mrs Newman, Mr Newman’s wife?”

I haven’t got time for this bullshit. I just need to see Meebs.

“Where is she? I need to see her. Lawson, get me a doctor or someone that can tell me what’s going on,” I shout at anyone that’s listening.

“Calm down, Con.” Tyler walks around to face me. “We’re in a hospital. I know you’re scared and worried, but you can’t be shouting. They’ll throw you out.”

I nod. There’s no fucking way that’s happening. I swallow and take a couple of breaths.

“I’m Conner Reed,” I speak to both of the policemen, unsure of who is the superior.

“I’m Nina Matthews’s partner, we live together. Nina and Mr Newman here, are legally separated, and Nina is seeking a divorce from him. I can give you the number of her lawyer if you need to check any of that out.”

Before I can add another word, orange boy interrupts, “I’m still her husband. Still her next of kin. I have more right to be here than any of you.”

I’m about to tell the police exactly why Nina left him when Sophie steps out of the room.

She looks at me, then at Marcus.

“Why the fuck’s he here?” she asks the policeman.

“I’m her fucking husband,” he says through gritted teeth to Soph.

“Will you please get him out of here, he is the last person she’ll want to see.”

Marcus stares at her for a few seconds and then turns and starts off down the corridor. I turn back to Soph. Her face is tear-stained, and she has blood on her clothes.

Meebs’ blood.

I can’t talk.

I can’t make a sound.

I can’t even breathe.

We’ve drunk beer and bourbon and champagne. It was supposed to be a happy night.

Without warning, I heave and throw up all over the floor.

I still can’t breathe, and I can’t stop shaking.

Meebs’ blood. Sophie’s covered in Meebs’ blood.

Someone sits me in a chair.

Someone passes me water.

“Reed, listen. She’s in theatre. Her head hit the pavement hard, and the X-rays and MRI showed that there’s some swelling and she was bleeding on the brain. They don’t think it’s life-threatening, but they wanted to do something to relieve the pressure.

I drop my head in my hands. This can’t be happening, it can’t be happening.

I can’t do it. I need to go. I’ve got to get out of here.

And then I see him, he hasn’t left. He’s just sitting on a chair a bit further down the hallway. I can’t leave her. She’s hurt and pregnant and probably so fucking scared. Someone hurt her. Why?

“The baby Soph, what about the baby?”