Murder Club - Mark Pearson [62]
‘What is this?’ the detective said, to no one in particular.
‘It’s a tarot card,’ replied the registrar. ‘Judgement.’
45.
SERGEANT ‘SLIMLINE’ DAVE Matthews, on guard duty, stood with Laura Chilvers outside the intensive-care room where Bible Steve was being attended to. Laura had little make-up on, as usual, but this morning she didn’t look radiant. Her eyes were red and there were the first signs of bags under her eyes. Matthews took a swig of water from the clear plastic cup he was carrying and looked over at her.
‘Did you get much sleep last night?’ he asked.
‘Not much, why?’
‘You look like shit, Doctor.’
‘Yeah, thanks for that, Slimline.’
The sergeant smiled cheerily. ‘Just saying.’
‘Well, don’t!’
He gestured towards the window. Bible Steve was under the covers with his arms outside. His head was back on the pillow and he was snoring loudly.
‘Looks like he’s getting plenty of sleep.’
Laura nodded.
‘That’s a good sign, I guess.’
‘I suppose it is.’
‘Means he’s alive at least.’
Laura Chilvers nodded again.
Dr Lily Crabbe came out of the room. ‘Sorry to keep you waiting.’
‘How is he doing?’ asked Laura.
‘He’s been sedated. We’d rather not do it, but his body needs to repair itself and sleep is the best mechanism for that sometimes.’
‘Why was he sedated?’ asked Laura.
‘He woke up screaming this morning. Talking gibberish and wouldn’t settle. We didn’t have any choice. He looked like he might become violent. It took a couple of nurses to hold him down, or he might have injured himself or one of my staff.’
‘Does he remember anything?’ asked Laura.
‘He remembers being here. He remembers being on the streets. The snow. Being cold.’
‘Is that it?’
‘Yes.’
Sergeant Matthews looked down at the sleeping man. ‘How long will this amnesia last?’
‘It really depends on what caused it in the first place. You tell me that he has had this condition for a number of years?’
‘As far as we can tell, yes.’
‘Well his situation has certainly changed. He doesn’t remember the name Steve, or Bible Steve. But that is the name you say he has been giving for himself.’
‘Yes,’ agreed the sergeant. ‘It’s the one he responds to.’
‘Not any more.’
‘Is there anything that can be done, Doctor?’
The woman ran her hand through her hair. ‘It depends what caused it and what type of amnesia he is suffering from.’
‘There are different types?’
‘Yes, Dave. There are,’ Laura answered for the registrar. ‘Short-term memory loss which means anterograde. That concerns recent memories only. Then there is retrograde amnesia, which means whole chunks of your life can disappear, even your identity. And it can be caused by all kinds of things: stress, physical or mental trauma.’
‘What do you think caused the problem?’
‘In the first place?’
‘I guess so. A blow to the head?’
‘Maybe. Like I said, there are all kind of causes. I’m not a neurologist,’ said Dr Crabbe. ‘But yes, a physical trauma is often the cause. Or a big emotional upset. Many people on the streets are ex-military. Mental illness brought on by post-traumatic stress disorder.’
‘Do you think he is ex-military, Doctor?’
‘I have no idea. Surely that would be more in your line?’
‘He can take care of himself, from what I have heard.’
‘Not very well, Sergeant.’
‘Can you tell us what caused his head injuries, at least?’
‘It was definitely a blow. And, looking at the bruises on his body, quite possibly a long, blunt instrument. Not metal, probably wood.’
‘Something like a baseball bat?’ asked Slimline Matthews.
‘Possibly. Like I say, these areas are more in your line.’
The sergeant gazed down at Bible Steve. ‘Looks like somebody really wanted to hurt him.’
‘If you ask me, Sergeant,’ said the registrar, ‘somebody tried to kill him.
And Bible Steve sat bolt upright in bed.
46.
SNOWFLAKES WERE DANCING in the air again. A slight