Page 51 of No Safe Place

Friday | Morning

Field

Callum was getting stressed. The lawyer looked like he was considering getting the doctor back in.

‘We’re nearly there, Callum. I promise.’ Field kept her tone calm. Keep everything calm, that was all this would take. ‘Question six. Did you see anyone else on the street at all, before your neighbour arrived to help?’

Callum shook his head.

He wrapped his arms tighter around his thin frame. Callum was dressed in cheap, grey clothes, and Field wondered what he wore normally – it was hard to get a read on him in the drab, too-large hospital outfit.

‘Okay, that’s fine.’ Field smiled.

Time for the big question.

‘So, Callum, there’s a link between you and David, and Sam. I’m sure you understand, we need to know who else was involved in the trial – the other patients David referenced in the paper.’

Callum’s eyes flicked to the girlfriend. Ex -girlfriend.

Field’s gaze followed. Lily Stewart was looking down at her lap, her breathing fast. She had a soft, heart-shaped face – the opposite of Callum’s sharp angles.

Field pressed the point. ‘They could be involved in what happened, or they could be in danger. Can you tell me who they are?’

Callum didn’t respond.

Field kept her voice level, not letting herself speak as rapidly as instinct wanted her to. ‘Callum, I need those three names. We need to make sure they’re safe, and you’re the only person who can tell us.’

Callum’s physical reaction, the jolt that ran through him, was the confirmation she needed, before he’d even spoken.

Lily moved closer to him.

‘I can’t – I can’t tell you that.’ He shook his head. ‘It’s private. They might not want you to know.’

‘Callum. They could be in danger.’

He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around himself.

He was pale and his eyes were flicking left to right. His hands had been shaking since he sat down and his whole body was tense. As he considered his answer he started rocking back and forward, only slightly – tiny movements.

Whatever he had, mental-illness-wise, he wasn’t faking it.

She was pushing him too hard, but she needed answers. Field pulled the sheet from a folder and pointed at the list of participants. ‘Patient A. Patient C. Patient E. They could all be at risk, Callum.’

‘I need to go,’ he said, abrupt.

‘I really think my client—’

Field spoke over the lawyer, pushing Callum. ‘Two stabbings in two days, Callum. Who were the other patients? Help me keep them safe.’

Callum stood up from the table, unsteady on his feet. He swayed, and Lily caught him under the arm.

‘Okay, that’s enough,’ the lawyer said.

‘You need to tell us the truth,’ Field pressed, leaning across the table. Pushing Callum was the only way to get the answer. ‘Unless you tell us, we can’t protect—’

‘I can tell you,’ Lily snapped. ‘I was there, okay?’

They all turned to her, and Field sat back in her chair.

‘I’m Patient A. I’ll answer your questions, or whatever, but let me get him out of here first.’

Lily led Callum out of the room. The doctor was outside, waiting. The three of them left in a bustle of jerky movements and soothing voices.

Wilson let out a low whistle, barely audible. ‘I did not see that coming.’