he was visiting his old friends Alex and Lynn. When he revealed he was a minister, Henderson looked uncomfortable, as if embarrassed that a mugger on his patch had walloped a man of the cloth. "What exactly happened?" the constable asked.
Weird recounted the scant details he could remember of the attack. "Sorry I can't tell you more. It was dark. And I was caught unawares," he said.
"He didn't say anything?"
"No."
"No demand for money or your wallet?"
"Nothing."
Henderson shook his head. "A bad business. It's not the sort of thing we expect in the village." He looked up at Alex. "I'm surprised you didn't call us yourself, sir."
"We were more concerned with making sure Tom was all right," Lynn butted in. "We were trying to persuade him to go to the hospital, but he seems determined to be stoic about it."
Henderson nodded. "I think Mrs. Gilbey's right, sir. It wouldn't do any harm to have a doctor take a look at your injuries. Apart from anything else, it means there's an official record of the extent of the damage if we catch whoever did it."
"Maybe in the morning," Weird said. "I'm too tired to face it now."
Henderson closed his notebook and pushed the chair back. "We'll keep you informed of any developments, sir," he said.
"There is something else you can do for us, officer," Alex said.
Henderson gave him an interrogative look.
"I know this is going to sound totally off the wall, but can you arrange for a copy of your report to be sent to ACC Lawson?"
Henderson seemed bemused by the request. "I'm sorry, sir, I don't quite see?
"I don't mean to patronize you, but it's a very long and complicated story and we're all too tired to go into it now. Mr. Mackie and I have been dealing with ACC Lawson on a very sensitive matter, and there's a chance this isn't just a casual mugging. I'd like him to see the report, just so he's aware of what's happened here tonight. I'll be speaking to him about it in the morning anyway, and it would be helpful if he was up to speed." No one who had ever seen Alex persuading his staff the extra mile would have been surprised by his quiet assertiveness.
Henderson weighed his words, uncertainty in his eyes. "It's not normal procedure," he said hesitantly.
"I realize that. But this isn't a normal situation. I promise you, it's not going to rebound on you. If you'd rather wait for the Assistant Chief Constable to contact you? Alex let the sentence trail off.
Henderson made his decision. "I'll send a copy to headquarters," he said. "I'll mention you requested it."
Alex saw him out. He stood on the doorstep and watched the police car nose out of the drive and into the street. He wondered who was out there in the dark, watching for his moment. A shiver ran through him. But not from the cold night air.
Chapter 41~42
Chapter 41
The phone rang just after seven. It wakened Davina and gave Alex a jolt. After the attack on Weird, the slightest sound had penetrated his consciousness, requiring analysis and risk assessment. There was someone out there stalking him and Weird, and his every sense was on the alert. As a result, he'd hardly slept. He'd been aware of Weird moving around in the night, probably searching for more painkillers. It wasn't a normal night noise, and it had made his heart hammer before he'd worked it out.
He grabbed the phone, wondering if Lawson was at his desk already, Henderson's report in his in-tray. He wasn't prepared for the jollity of Jason McAllister. "Hi, Alex," the forensic paint expert greeted him cheerfully. "I know new parents are always up with the lark so I figured you wouldn't mind me calling so early. Listen, I've got some information for you. I can come over now, and run it past you before I go into work. How would that be?"
"Great," Alex said heavily. Lynn pushed the duvet back and blearily crossed to the moses basket, lifting her daughter with a grunt.
"Smashing. I'll be with you in half an hour."
"You know the address?"
"Sure. I've had meetings with Lynn there a couple of times. See you." The phone went dead and Alex pushed himself up the bed as Lynn returned with the baby.
"That was Jason," Alex said. "He's on his way. I'd better get in the shower. You didn't tell me he was second cousin to the Jolly Green Giant." He leaned over and kissed his daughter's