And the Rest Is History(18)

‘Thank you, Commander. I hope so too.’

She nodded and looked around the table. ‘I think we are all agreed – this cannot go on any longer. The man is out of all control. No one and nothing is safe. I have instructed Captain Ellis to put together a team to capture Clive Ronan as quickly as possible. Dr Bairstow, from this moment on, all the manpower, pods, equipment we can spare from our normal duties will be diverted towards apprehending this man. And Matthew Farrell, of course.’

Dr Bairstow inclined his head. ‘Thank you. Your offer is greatly appreciated. You should not bear this burden alone, however. As a gesture of support and friendship, St Mary’s will call for volunteers. There will be many, I am sure, but you will understand that I can’t and won’t leave St Mary’s undefended. Particularly after today.’

‘Of course.’

‘I’ll go,’ I said, suddenly. ‘I want to volunteer.’

No one looked at anyone else.

Leon stood up. ‘I wonder if you would excuse us for a moment.’

Still no one looked at me. I found myself out on the gallery with no memory of how I got there.

‘Max, I don’t want you to go.’

‘Leon!’

‘No. I know you think nothing can go right unless you do it yourself, but I’m begging you. I don’t want to bring Matthew back only to find something has happened to you. I lost my first family. I can’t lose this one as well. I’m going after Matthew and you’re going to stay here. No, please just listen for a moment. We’re all going after Ronan in a big way. The Time Police are with us. Ian Guthrie’s going as well – he has a score to settle too – and I expect one or two others will want to volunteer. There’s no need for you to go, and what I need more than anything, Max, is to know that when I bring Matthew back – and I will bring him back, I promise you – that I’ll find you here, safe and sound. I’m going to give this everything I’ve got, and to do that I must know that you’re safe here at St Mary’s.’

I opened my mouth to protest. How could he even think of leaving me behind? How could I possibly remain here knowing that somewhere out there my baby needed me?

‘No, Max. Think about it. Helen’s dead. Peterson is going to need you. And Markham will be Head of Security in Guthrie’s absence. They’ll both need you. St Mary’s will look to you. You must appear to be carrying on as best you can. You can’t leave now.’

‘But Leon, I must go.’

‘You can’t. You’re compromised.’

I stepped back from him. ‘And you’re not?’

‘I understand how you feel, Max…’

‘No, you don’t.’

‘He’s my son too.’

‘I know, I know. I didn’t mean…’

‘I know what you meant.’

‘Leon – he’s torn the heart out of my chest. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I’ll never be whole again. Matthew held out his arms to me and I didn’t save him.’

‘Listen to me,’ he said softly. ‘I’ve been thinking about this. I know it’s unreasonable and unfair to expect you to wait here quietly while I could be gone for weeks – maybe even months, so I’ll do you a deal. You stay here and I promise you faithfully that no matter how long it takes me, I will bring Matthew back to you next Friday. That’s just a few days away for you.’ He took my hands. ‘Will you do it? Will you promise me?’

I nodded.

‘Say it.’

I don’t break my promises to Leon. They’re too important. I took a moment to consider, then I looked up and nodded again. ‘I promise.’

He smiled and cupped my face in his hands, saying, ‘I will bring him back. You promised me and now I’m promising you. I will find him and bring him back to you.’

My eyes were so full of tears that I couldn’t see him clearly. Any moment now, they were going to spill down my cheeks and I was going to disgrace myself in public.

‘It’s just two days,’ he said, softly. ‘I will bring him back to you in two days. That’s Friday, Max. All you have to do is hold it together for two days and then, on Friday, you’ll see him again. Whatever it takes, I will do this. Understood?’

I said reluctantly, ‘Yes.’

‘I’ll find him Max. I’ll get our little boy back.’

I looked around. No one was in sight. ‘Promise me … promise me, Leon. When you find Ronan – and I know you will – there’ll be none of this bringing him to justice crap. No more worrying about any impact on the future. I don’t care what everyone else says – just shoot the bastard dead.’

‘I promise.’ He bent, kissed my hand and then my cheek and before I could say another word, he was gone.



I wanted nothing more than to be alone for a few minutes. Just to pull myself together. To find a brave face to put on for the rest of the world.

Matthew, holding out his arms to me.

I rubbed my sleeve across my eyes, wiping away the tears. He’d wanted me to save him. To make everything all right again and I hadn’t. I’d been useless.

But, perhaps there was some good I could do. I made my way to Peterson’s room, tapping on the door. Markham opened it, stepped out, and pulled it to behind him. ‘What’s happening?’