McBride

Temple drove in silence from Topsham. Cantwell knew better than to talk when he was in this mood. Instead, he looked out of the window at the hedgerows and then across to the river. Although, the flood had abated, the river was full to its banks and the water was still fast flowing.

"We'll call in at the hospital and find out how Mrs Ellacott is doing. Hopefully, we can chat to her now. I want to know if she recognised whoever it was who beat her up and why they did it."

"Doubt if she'll be in a fit state yet, Gov."

"We'll see."

There were few cars in the car park, so Temple parked near the front entrance. He asked a young nurse for Gilpin Ward, then set off with Cantwell in tow down the long corridor. Cantwell sniffed the air, it smelled strongly of disinfectant and that indescribable hospital smell that he so disliked.

Brenda Ellacott was now conscious, she was in a small side-room just off the main ward. A young doctor was standing beside her. He turned with a look of disapproval as soon as he saw them. Before he could say anything, however, Temple held up his hand and waved his police card in front of him.

"She is not yet well enough to answer questions." The doctor said.

Even to Cantwell, this seemed rather obvious. Though she was conscious, her face was puffy and bruised and her lips were swollen and blooded. Her left eye was still closed and her left arm was in a sling. However, nothing daunted, Temple moved to the bed-head.

"Hello, Mrs Ellacott. We're so sorry you suffered this attack. I'm Detective Inspector James Temple and this is Detective Sergeant Cantwell. We found you the other day and got you into hospital. Can you remember anything about that day? Anything at all?"

Brenda Ellacott turned her face away and just moaned quietly. The doctor pushed past Temple and leaned towards her. He bent low and appeared to be listening to her. Then he straightened up.

"She wants to know if there's any news about her husband. She certainly cannot answer any of your questions, as you can see, she really can't talk properly yet. Someone tried to throttle her. You can see the bruising round her neck. When that subsides, she'll be able to speak."

Temple nodded: "Yes, I can see that. As to her question about her husband, I'm afraid there is still no news yet."

Cantwell saw a look of pain cross her face. He wasn't sure whether this was physical pain or the response to the news about Ben Ellacott.

"Come on, Cantwell, we'll be off." He turned to Brenda Ellacott. "We are doing our best to find your husband, Mrs Ellacott and also find out who did this to you." He smiled at the doctor.

As they walked back down the ward, a shortish man in a brown harris tweed jacket blustered his way to the ward sisters' desk. His ruddy face bore an arrogant expression and he was haranging the sister.

"Now look here, Sister, I'm a busy man and I demand to see Mrs Ellacott now. So show me to her."

"Who are you?" Temple asked.

"Who am I? Who are you, more to the point."

"I am a police officer and I am asking the questions, especially if they relate to Mrs Ellacott."

"Ah!" The man straightened his back, "I am her family doctor, name's McBride. I came to find out how she is. I'm a busy man and have little time to chatter to the police."

"So when, Dr McBride, will you be free to 'chatter', as you put it?"

"I don't see any reason to talk to ..."

"Well, we do, Dr McBride. As I asked, when can we see you?"

"I shall finish surgery tonight at 8:30, you can come to the surgery then and I'll see you for ten minutes."

"Where is the surgery?"

"At the far end of Blandford Avenue, opposite the Blandford Hotel."

Temple turned on his heels and indicated for Cantwell to follow. By then Cantwell was thoroughly miserable. 8:30! That meant he wouldn't be home till at least 10:30, if he was lucky. God Almighty, he thought, Debbie will half kill me.