Read Hawthorn and Child for Free Online

… was he in pain?
    Hawthorn lifted his shoulders a little.
    – Well yes, he was in pain. Of course he was in pain.
    – They were preparing him for surgery, said Child. He was given painkillers very quickly. They were looking after him very well.
    – I know. Of course. It’s just difficult for me to think about. Was he very frightened?
    – He was actually quite alert, said Hawthorn. He seemed strong. It was a good sign. They said it was a good sign.
    She pushed a smile towards her daughter. Nodded.
    – When we spoke to him, Hawthorn went on, we asked him what had happened. He told us that a car had pulled up alongside him and shots had been fired. But he told us that it was an old car. An old-fashioned car. And when we asked did he mean a vintage car he said yes. A vintage car.
    She frowned.
    – But these boys … were they in a vintage car?
    – No.
    – The simple explanation, said Child, is that Daniel, in shock, perhaps coming under the influence of the first of the painkillers and what have you, imagined that he had seen a vintage car.
    – Yes, she said quietly.
    – But it’s a loose end, said Child. And my colleague is keen to tie it up.
    – Do you know anyone with a vintage car? Have you heard Daniel mention knowing anyone with a vintage car?
    She was quiet. She didn’t move. Then she shook her head slowly.
    – Does a vintage car mean anything to you at all?
    – No. Not really.
    – Not really?
    – Not at all. That I can think of.
    – There are no … you don’t know anyone who drives, who owns, a vintage car?
    She appeared to think about it for a moment.
    – No.
    Hawthorn nodded.
    – Does Daniel own the house on Nestor Lane?
    – Yes. He does. He inherited it from his grandfather. His father’s father.
    – How long has it been in the family?
    – I really don’t know. 1930s I think.
     
    Daniel Field lay flat on his bed. His torso below the chest was bound in bandages. Various lines and tubes and cables came and went from his arms, and under the covers which lay on his lower body. There was dark bruising on his left shoulder. His face seemed slightly swollen. There was a scratch on his left cheek that Hawthorn didn’t remember from the morning.
    Mrs Field and her daughter had already spent twenty minutes with him before the daughter came out and told Hawthorn and Child to come in.
    – Did he tell you anything about the shooting?
    – Just what you said. An old car. Then Mum got him to stop and sent me to get you.
    He was pale. Dull blue veins were scribbled across his skin. His hands were clean.
    His mother touched his arm above his wrist. He opened his eyes. It seemed to take a moment for him to focus on her. She kissed his forehead.
    – Go on, Daniel.
    – What?
    – Tell us what you remember.
    He looked confused for a moment, and he looked around her, into the gloom. He looked at Child and Hawthorn, and his sister, then back at Hawthorn.
    – Oh, he said. Yeah.
    He closed his eyes, and Hawthorn thought that he’d drifted off. But his mother stroked his arm, and after a moment he started to speak softly.
    – There was … a black car. Low down. With those running boards. And those old silver door handles. Like in a black-and-white film. The window was down. I couldn’t see anyone. Just a flash. I don’t remember a bang. A flash, and I didn’t know … nothing happened. I thought it was a camera flash. I thought someone was taking my picture. The car was lovely. Silent, low down. Sweeping. Then there was another … flash and … boof … I felt like I’d been … punched in the stomach. Then I was on the ground, and the pain came, and I felt like something really bad had happened in my stomach, or somewhere . Inside me. Something had exploded. But I heard no noise. No bang … nothing. Like the sound was down. I thought someone was taking my photograph while my insides were exploding, and I hoped they’d call an ambulance, but then they were gone and my hand was covered in blood, and