Death in the Sunshine (Retired Detectives Club, #1)(4)

‘Will do,’ says Philip. He feels like punching the air in triumph as he strides away from the cop towards the ambulance. He’s back in the thick of things, and rightfully so. He never should have had to retire.





3


MOIRA


She hates everything about hospitals – the smell, the over-starched sheets, and the intrusion. But most of all, she hates the lack of control being a patient brings, and so she’ll be damned if she’s letting these paramedics take her to Lake County General. Moira looks around for her water bottle. She wants out of the ambulance now, but doesn’t want to leave the bottle behind.

The paramedic in charge has barely drawn breath he’s arguing his case so hard, and his taller, sturdier colleague keeps nodding along in agreement. Both are refusing to take no for an answer, which leaves the three of them at loggerheads because she sure as hell isn’t going to change her mind.

The lead paramedic, red-haired and red-faced, gestures towards a trolley made up as a bed. ‘Please, take a seat.’

‘I’m fine.’ Moira stays standing. She reaches out, putting her hand on the wall of the ambulance to steady herself, waiting for the spinning in her head to stop. When it does, she glances around for her water bottle again and spots it over on one of the bench seats.

As she moves towards it, the red-haired paramedic steps into her path. ‘As I explained, ma’am, we need to do a more thorough exploration of—’

‘No.’ Moira hugs the silver space blanket closer and folds her arms. ‘You can’t take me against my will and I’ve told you I’m not going.’

The sturdier paramedic clears his throat. ‘Your blood pressure is elevated and you should really be—’

‘Everything all right here?’ asks a male voice with a British accent.

Moira turns towards the back of the ambulance and sees Lizzie Sweetman’s balding, portly husband peering in through the open doors. Damn. He’s the last thing she needs. All that waving and shouting a few minutes ago was totally unnecessary. She’d hoped feigning confusion about who he was would put him off, but it seems not. She gives him a curt nod. Doesn’t want to engage. Hopes he’ll get the message this time. ‘It will be.’

She sees the paramedics look at Philip. The sturdier one raises an eyebrow. They’re probably trying to work out if he’s an ally or foe. Moira decides not to give him the chance to be either.

Pulling the space blanket from around her shoulders, she pushes past the paramedic and throws the blanket on to the bench seat. Grabbing her water bottle she turns towards the doors.

The sturdier paramedic blocks her exit. ‘Ma’am, I really need you to—’

‘Look, I appreciate you’re just doing your job, but like I said, I’m fine.’ She pushes past him and climbs down from the ambulance. Once on the ground she turns back to face the pair. ‘There’s no point you taking me to hospital.’

The red-haired one shakes his head. ‘As I said before, ma’am, I think there’s reason to—’

‘Maybe you should get checked out.’ Philip steps closer to Moira and puts a hand on her shoulder. ‘It can’t hurt.’

Moira shrugs away his hand. ‘I don’t need to, and I don’t want to, so no.’ Her tone is assertive, bordering on angry. Why can’t he get the message and go? Why is he here anyway? She glares at Philip. ‘I saw a dead body. I’m not injured.’

Philip takes a step backwards. ‘Just calm down a—’

‘Okay, ma’am, I’m not arguing any longer.’ The paramedic taps something on the screen of his tablet. ‘I’m putting in my call notes you declined transportation to the hospital.’

‘You do that,’ Moira snaps. Then she feels a bit sorry for him. She knows he’s just trying to do his job, but there are people out there who need his skills and a hospital bed far more than she does. And she feels okay. Well, kind of okay. A bit dizzy, and slightly nauseous; otherwise fine. She gives him a small smile. ‘And thank you.’

As the paramedics get ready to leave, Moira picks up her sports bag from beside the ambulance and pushes her water bottle into the side pocket. As she straightens up she feels more light-headed. Philip’s saying something to her, but his voice seems muffled, as if she’s listening underwater. She doesn’t want to chat. She looks at Philip. ‘See you around.’

As she says the words she knows they’re not true. She needs to avoid seeing Philip and his wife Lizzie. She can’t afford to get involved with them; it’s too risky.

Philip starts to reply but she turns away and walks around the ambulance, heading over to the police cars. Movement helps to clear her head. It’s a blood-sugar thing, the dizziness, she’s sure of it. She’s had spells like this before, and it’s different to the panic attacks. She knows she can handle this; she just needs to get home and eat something.

Reaching the police cars, she raps on the window of the nearest vehicle, startling the officer wearing mirrored shades inside, and gives him a wave. ‘I’m leaving now, okay?’

The young cop opens the door and jumps out. Looks flustered. ‘You’re not going to hospital?’

She shakes her head, blinking as her vision goes hazy. Puts a hand out on to the car to steady herself. ‘I’m going home.’