I leapt up, following the doctor to the cubicle. He drew back the curtain and I saw Adam lying on the crisp white sheets. They had cleaned most of the blood from his face, there was still deep bruising and he was swathed in bandages. I rushed to his side, taking his hand.
“Adam?”
“Hi, Sis…” His voice was quiet and rasping. “Sorry…”
“Don’t you be stupid…” I gulped, trying to choke back tears. “What happened?”
He shrugged. “It just went dark… How’s Kate?”
“I don’t know, I came straight here. I’ve not seen her.”
“Look, I think it will be best if we let him rest.” The doctor put his hand on my arm. “He will need to stay in, at least overnight. Why don’t you come back later once he has had some rest.”
“Okay…” I was aware of the police officers who, despite stepping back had not really left my side. As I stepped out into the corridor I turned to them. “Look are you going to arrest me?” He started to speak. “If you’re not, please leave me alone.”
“Do we have your details?”
I relented and gave them my name and address, telling them that I was as keen as they were to find out who had attacked my brother, however, I had a sinking feeling that I knew exactly who had been responsible and it didn’t bode well for any of us.
I walked quickly out of the hospital, not wanting to linger any longer than necessary, I pondered what I could do as I drove back to the stables. Of course, the two girls were near hysterical but had been able to feed and muck out most of the horses, as with all true horse people, no matter what happened in their world, the horses always came first. They bombarded me with questions but I had to admit I knew as little as they did. I asked if they had seen Kate, but they hadn’t so I made my way up to the flat. Her bed had not been slept in as far as I could tell and the same was true in my house where there was no sign of her.
I calmed the girls down as best I could, telling them to clean tack, just to keep their minds off what was happening. I needed answers. I picked up my phone and dialled a London number, it rang for a moment before a familiar voice answered. “Raj!”
“Oh goodness, Miss Amanda.”
“How are you?”
“Ah… I’ve had a bad time…” Raj went on to tell me that he had been visited by two people who wanted to know where I was. Of course, whereas I called him, he had never known where I was. This had not pleased the two who initially threatened to beat him and then instead had set fire to his shop. He had thankfully been able to get out of the back door to safety, his livelihood had been destroyed. I sat in silence for a moment.
“Are you there?”
“Yes… Oh God, that’s terrible Raj, I’m so sorry. Thank goodness you’re safe.” He had chuckled, rather unexpectedly and said he had Allah on his side and this was going to be a blessing in disguise. The shop had been well insured and, for once the insurance company had been prepared to pay out so he had a tidy sum which he was going to use to retire and never have to get up at the crack of dawn or prepare newspapers ever again. I admired his perspective on life, we chatted about the future before he thanked me and wished me well.
I stared at the phone for a long time after Raj had hung up. It was clear who was after me, they had found Raj and Annie and then Adam. I had a terrible feeling that they would not stop there.
***
I could not wait to get back to see Adam, so packed him a change of clothes and some toiletries and headed back out in the car. I could tell that the grooms were nervous, but I assured them I would be back later and that they could stay in the farmhouse with me tonight if it helped them.
Kate’s disappearance worried me. She was not on the yard and had not told anyone that she would be going out, her day off had been the day before and she had spent it with Adam. A thought had crossed my mind that, maybe, just maybe she could have done this to him, but I soon dismissed this as nonsense.
Adam was asleep when I arrived on the ward, he looked so still and peaceful. I slumped into the bedside chair and a combination of the hospital’s warmth and my lack of sleep led me to drift to sleep.
“Hello…”
I opened my eyes, Adam was sitting up. I mumbled, shaking my head.
“You look like how I feel…”
“Wow! That bad…” I stood up, grabbing hold of his shoulders, hugging him. “Oh, Adam! You scared me.”
“I was pretty scared myself…” He paused. “How’s Kate?”
“Oh… How are you?”
“I feel pretty bruised, I really don’t know what happened. One moment I was checking the horses, the next… Well, the next thing was waking up in the hospital.” He paused. “Sis, what’s happened to Kate.”
What could I tell him? I sighed. “She’s gone.”
“Gone?”
“She’s not on the yard, she isn’t in the flat or the farmhouse. I don’t know where she is.”
“What are you not telling me?” Adam stared at me. “Amanda, please.”
I put my head in my hands, telling him about what had happened to Raj’s shop and then to Annie. “They’ve
