Since the IRA had decommissioned their weapons, and Sinn Fein shared government, the outlook for long-term peace in Ireland had never been more optimistic, despite the recent increase in violence from dissident groups. The optimism came more from the reactions of all politicians condemning the violence than actually solving the crimes. Sinn Fein had stood side by side with the Chief Constable and Unionists to demand an end to sectarian murders and attacks on the British army.
If the Irish link was important, as realistically it surely had to be, then it probably meant it was a renegade faction operating independently but so far no one had claimed responsibility, which was highly unusual. There was little point in carrying out these acts of violence to highlight a cause but then not linking the act to the cause. Miller preferred to know who he was dealing with. Then he could react and plan accordingly. An unknown enemy willing to create mayhem was very scary.
The security services were being of no help. Their focus on Irish terrorism was a fraction of what it had once been. Simpson was probably telling the truth when he said they had no leads. The proverbial was going to hit the fan if they didn’t all come up with some answers fairly soon. And why this unknown enemy would choose to go after Ashdown was still a mystery. It seemed almost an act of personal revenge but Maguire was dead and Murphy locked up.
There were still more questions than answers but he suspected this probably wouldn’t be the end of the trouble and that meant he better get used to not having much sleep. He would stop by the office for the latest news and then he really would have to head to Brighton and meet Ashdown. It had gone from an excuse to get out the office to essential. He’d also get the team to run a full background check on Ashdown. He seemed genuine enough but nothing could be left to chance.
It was about two hours after Tom phoned Liz that she came hurrying into the hospital. She spotted Tom and came towards him with an expression that to Tom defined the saying ‘if looks could kill.’ Tom had no doubt she was capable of doing him harm, should she have a weapon to hand.
“What have you done to my Colin?” she demanded. “Where are the police? Why haven’t they arrested you?”
Sergeant Grant had made a visit to the hospital about an hour earlier and informed Tom he would be close at hand, as he was keen to question Colin as soon as he was awake. However, having spoken to the nurse on reception he had not been seen since. Tom assumed she had informed him there was little likelihood of questioning Colin any time in the near future.
Tom was keen not to fan the flames of Liz’s anger further so he ignored her questions. “There’s no news I’m afraid,” he said gently. “The doctor is still operating.”
She fell into the chair beside Tom’s. She was a robust woman but she looked as if she was struggling to hold onto her emotions. The dam burst and she started to cry. She was not a woman Tom imagined who cried very often.
“What am I going to do if he doesn’t recover?” she asked after a minute, without looking at Tom. She was dabbing at her eyes and nose with a handkerchief.
“Let’s be positive,” Tom replied, though he had been asking himself the very same question. By nature he was ever the optimist but that was being sorely tested and he wasn’t truly convinced Colin would survive.
“It’s all your fault,” Liz said with renewed strength. “I always knew you’d lead him into trouble.”
Tom had led one or two astray over the years but never his brother. There wasn’t much point in putting up a defence. Liz had her mind made up and she wasn’t someone he would ever be able to go to for a character reference. She had labelled him a long time ago as trouble and she was probably correct, whatever the rights and wrongs of her current assertion, he was responsible for Colin ending up in this hospital.
“Would you like some coffee?” he asked eager to get away. “They have a machine.”
“White no sugar, please,” she responded neutrally.
Tom ambled to the machine, wondering just how long he could stretch out the getting coffee experience. He cursed when he realised he didn’t have sufficient coins for two cups. He would have to go without.
He returned with the coffee and as she took it she pleaded, “Can’t we ask someone what’s going on?”
“I’ll check to see if there’s any news,” he responded but as he turned to confront the nurse once more, he spotted the Consultant heading down the corridor in his direction.
Tom was keen to have a first word out of earshot of Liz and hurried toward Seymour. As he came close, Tom tried to determine whether the news would be positive from looking at the Doctor’s face but he was giving no clues.
The doctor came straight to the point. “Your brother’s in intensive care. The operation went well but he is still critical.”
Tom felt hugely relieved the first words out the Doctor’s mouth hadn’t been to announce Colin’s death. “Thank you,” he said with a broad smile. He felt like the condemned man given a last minute stay of execution.
The Doctor seemed less excited by the news he’d imparted. “His condition is still very serious,” he stressed. “The next forty eight hours are the most important.”
“Can we see him?”
“I’ll send a nurse to collect you in a few minutes. He’s unconscious so you won’t be able to communicate with him. Now if you’ll forgive me I have to rush.”
“One last question. Do I need to pay for anything to improve his
