Black Wattle Creek (Charlie Berlin #2)(28)

‘Bastards.’

The doctor smiled at Rebecca. ‘Quite. But for my money it’s the left cheekbone and his eye that are the real worry.’

Berlin felt sick. ‘Christ almighty, he could be blind?’

‘It’s early days yet, Mr … ?’

‘Berlin.’

‘We’ll need the swelling to go down before we can see if there’s any long-term damage to the eye. The people downstairs couldn’t find any obvious signs of internal bleeding, so that’s a plus but we need to keep alert in that area. He’s also badly bruised on the hands and probably has broken knuckles, so I’d say he didn’t go down without a struggle.’

‘He knows how to handle himself in a stoush.’ Berlin knew that somewhere in town there had to be someone else who was in a bit of pain right now. But that eye was a real cause for concern. There was no place in the police for a one-eyed copper, and if Bob had been off duty and out of uniform he’d have to fight for any kind of compensation.

The doctor looked at the front page of his notes. ‘Robert Rob Roberts, that really his name?’

‘His old man reckoned he had a sense of humour,’ Berlin said. ‘A lot of blokes who drink too much seem to think along those lines. I reckon they should close the registry offices when the pubs are open. Did he say who did it? How many there were?’

The doctor flipped a page. ‘Just says here he was brought in to Casualty unconscious and stayed that way. Sorry.’

‘I need to talk to him when he’s conscious. When is that likely to be?’

‘Hard to say right now. Ten minutes, ten hours, tens days maybe. Even then we might have to sedate him because the poor bugger’s going to hurt like hell.’

‘If I leave you my number can you let me know when he’s fit to be interviewed?’

‘Leave it with the sister in charge and I’ll tell them it’s okay.’





NINETEEN


Berlin walked over to Alice and bent down beside her. ‘Alice,’ he said gently, ‘can you tell me what happened? Do you have any idea?’

She looked up at him, her face blank. ‘I just wanted some chocolate, and now look what’s happened.’ She started to cry again. Rebecca gave her a fresh handkerchief. Berlin needed a smoke. He was outside in the corridor when the elevator doors opened and Alice’s sister Carol got out. He’d last met her at Bob’s wedding, ten years back, and he was surprised at how little she’d changed. No kids and a husband with a nice secure job in the Commonwealth public service seemed to agree with her. He waved and she hurried down the corridor towards him, pulling off her gloves.

‘What happened, did she say?’ he asked.

Carol opened her handbag and stuffed the gloves inside. ‘Not really. She just called me up all hysterical.’ She pulled a silk scarf from around her neck and it joined the gloves. ‘She said someone had found Bob bleeding in the gutter somewhere in Carlton, and they’d telephoned for an ambulance. The hospital rang Alice and told her he was here. His number was in a notebook in his pocket, apparently.’

‘What was he doing in Carlton, did she say? Was he working?’

‘Doesn’t sound like it. Alice said it was her fault. She said she wanted chocolate and he went out looking for a milk bar open late. I told her to take a taxi straight in and I’d go over to her place and look after the kids. My husband’s there with them now.’ She was looking at Berlin in a way that let him know what her next question was.

“Is he going to die, Charlie?’

‘It’s bad, but he’s tough and he’ll pull through. He’s going to need a lot of looking after and Alice is going to have her hands full with that new bub.’

‘She’s my baby sister, I’ll take care of her. Now I’d better go in. Which room is it?’

Berlin walked her to the door but didn’t go in. Alice had enough on her plate already. When Rebecca came out five minutes later he could see the strain on her face.

‘How’s Alice holding up?’

‘Better for having her sister there, but she’s not a happy girl. Carol’s going to take her down to the cafeteria for a cup of tea in a minute.’

‘Think we should join them?’

Rebecca shook her head. ‘No, let’s get out of here. We should be able to find a place in the city. I need a cup of real coffee and you probably need some fresh air.’ She studied him. ‘How are you holding up?’

‘I’m fine.’ He smiled at her. And better for knowing that you understand how I’m feeling, was the unsaid message.

He wanted nothing more than to get out of the place but he forced himself back into the room one more time to check on Roberts. Carol and Alice were coming out as he went in.

As Berlin leaned over the bed, Bob’s good eye fluttered open. He grunted softly.

‘You’re going to be okay, mate, they’re taking good care of you. You’ll be up and about in no time. And Carol is here for Alice, so don’t you worry about anything. They just went out for a cup of tea. They’ll be back soon.’

Berlin could see Bob’s right index finger twitching, beckoning. He leaned in closer. ‘You don’t have to talk now, you can give us the details later.’