Bennett leaned in. ‘They nearly did, Jamil. I’m sorry but whoever did this to you was in all likelihood trying to murder you. There is no one you can think of who would want to harm you?’
‘No one. No. Was it a racist attack, do you think?’
Bennett shrugged. ‘It’s possible.’
‘Where did it happen?’
‘You don’t know?’
Jamil shrugged. ‘I can’t remember a thing about it. I remember waking up here.’
‘What do you remember? Go back to yesterday. Lunchtime – can you remember that’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay, then. After lunch what did you do?’
‘I remember going to the library.’
‘The university library?’
‘No. At my hall of residence. Whitefriars. It’s a small one but it makes a change from sitting in my room. I remember going there. I remember doing the crossword.’
‘Which one?’
Jamil looked embarrassed for a moment. ‘The
Bennett held up his hand. ‘It’s okay – no one is here to judge you.’
‘And then …’ Jamil concentrated for a moment or two, looking down at the floor to the side of his head. He hesitated for a moment and then shook his head. ‘No. Nothing after that.’
Bennett leaned forward. ‘You looked as if you might have remembered something then, Jamil.’
‘No. Some other students came into the library, I think. But no, that was early evening. You say I was found at midnight?’
‘Just about. You were lucky!’
‘Lucky?’
‘Relatively speaking. The woman who found you is a police surgeon. She was able to keep you alive until the paramedics found you.’
‘What is her name, please? I must thank her.’
‘Kate Walker. Doctor Walker.’ He gestured with his thumb to the general ward outside. ‘She’s trying to find your consultant, right now.’
‘And where was I when she found me?’
‘Just off Camden High Street.’
Jamil reacted, surprised. ‘Camden. What was I doing there? I’ve never been to Camden in my life. Why would I want to go there?’
‘We don’t know, Jamil. Maybe it was a random attack. Maybe it was racially motivated, like you said, or maybe it was just a robbery gone wrong.’
Jamil looked at the side table. ‘My wallet?’
‘No. Sorry, there was nothing on you.’
‘It was a mugging, then?’
Bennett shrugged. ‘Most likely. But maybe why you were there in the first place has something to do with the attack on you.’
‘Can’t see how. Like I said, I’ve never been to Camden.’
‘You’ve been there once.’
Jamil held a hand to his bandaged chest, his breathing becoming more ragged as he laboured to draw in breath. ‘Yeah, and it seems like once was too often.’
Bennett would have replied but the nurse opened the door quietly and came in.
‘Okay. Time’s up,’ she said in a manner that would brook no argument.
Bennett looked at her appraisingly. ‘I’m sorry – I didn’t get your name?’
‘Jessica Tam,’ she said.
Bennett held out his hand and after hesitating for a moment the nurse shook it. ‘I’m Tony Bennett.’
Jessica Tam raised an eyebrow but before she could say anything Bennett handed her a card. ‘If Jamil remembers anything more be sure to give me a call straight away.’
Jessica put the card in her pocket. ‘Okay.’
‘Or, you know …’ he said, with a smile. ‘If you just want to give me a call.’
‘I’ll bear it in mind,’ she said coolly, and taking his arm by the elbow she steered him out of the room. She closed the door on him and turned back to her patient. ‘Are you okay, Jamil?’
