Chapter 103
The largest bouquet of flowers Chloe had ever seen preceded their bearer into the ward. When he lowered them, she almost sank into the bed, trying to disappear.
‘For you,’ he said, and placed them in the window, where they fell over and littered the ground. ‘Ah well, you probably don’t like lilies anyhow.’
He sat on the side of her bed.
She froze, unable to press the call button.
He put out a hand to grasp hers, and still she could not move. She felt she was having a stroke, solidified, numb.
She tried to speak. A croak came out of her mouth. ‘Go away.’
‘There’s something you need to know.’ He looked around, but the ward was currently empty. He pulled the curtain around the bed anyway.
Chloe froze solid. She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at him, then worried he might stick his fingers in her eyes to hold the lids open. All he did was squeeze her hand tighter.
‘I saw your young nephew leave with your sister earlier. Cute little boy. What age is he now? Three? Four maybe. Be awful if something happened to him. Like a freak accident where he’d break his neck.’
All her fear morphed into anger, but before she could speak, he stood and leaned in over her.
‘I’m warning you, Chloe, if you breathe a word, I will choke the life out of the little runt. See how strong my hands are. Imagine them around dear Louis’ tiny neck. One twist would be enough, don’t you think?’
‘Stop. You’re lying.’
‘I am deadly serious. I’ve had a hell of a week.
Couldn’t even stay in the office. Wandered the streets getting my head straight.
And now we have a guy in custody for stabbing you.
Nice and neat for a conviction. So don’t go crying to your pal Mooney.
I saw him here too. Remember this. I can discredit him and ruin his career like I can yours.
Think of your nephew. Now, I’ll get someone to sort those flowers. ’
He leaned down to feather her forehead with something like a kiss, and with extreme terror curdling her stomach, Chloe lurched forward and vomited all over him.