Just then, the blue curtain drew back and a portly middle-aged nurse stepped into the cubicle. “Oh!” she said, with a surprised look. “There’s two of you.” Oliver would have rolled his eyes, were they not so bruised and swollen.So funny. So original.
“Good news, Mr. Reed. Your orbital and cranial scans have come back completely normal. Your nose is broken—as we suspected—but there’s really nothing we can give you for it, other than packing your nostrils and putting on this little splint.” She held up a carton containing a white nose splint, and placed it on the aluminium table. “Alternatively, given that your brother is here, I’d suggest you stay with your family for a few days. Pack healing and all that.”
Matteus shot him a self satisfied look as he tucked the splint and packing gauze into his pocket.
“Also, you have another visitor,” she said.
Oliver’s chest tightened, hoping beyond everything that it was Lucas. Just what the hell made the other alphas jump on him like that? Was it because he lost control, or something else entirely? He shivered, remembering Lucas’ expression—full of possessive rage, and… and therehadbeen something else beneath all the growling and gnashing of teeth, hadn’t there? He’d been… worried, hadn’t he? Just as he had at the Cock & Bull.
“Mr. Reed?” The nurse repeated, “Shall I let him in?”
Oliver blinked. “Y-Yes, please.”
Much to Oliver’s disappointment, it was not Lucas pulling back the curtain, but Inspector Callahan. “Good God, DC Reed. You look rougher than my Aunt Polly’s arse.”
Grimacing, Oliver sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Callahan patted the top of his knee and pulled up a chair opposite him.
“I’ll wait outside,” Matteus said, giving Oliver a small nod.
The Inspector’s eyes flitted over his face as he sat down, and Oliver felt as though he were about to be interrogated. “You’ll be relieved to hear, Oliver, that B squad found Helena Cartwright safe and well at the address in Wicking.”
Oliver let out a sharp breath and dropped his head into his hands. He nodded, not trusting his voice to remain steady as relief washed over him.
“There were three other children present. Our department is familiar with two of them—Harriet Brisbourne and Emil O’Shea. The third was considerably younger.”
Oliver swallowed. “How young?”
“Four years old. A little boy called Alfie.”
“Four? Jesus fucking Christ, haven’t his parents reported him missing?”
Callahan shook his head. “His parents were found dead by Devonshire Police this morning. Both betas. Both known drug users. Social Services knew about the family, as they had previously removed another child before Alfie was born.”
“Jesus. Where is he now?”
“In police protection. When I left the station he was having a nap in your old office.”
“Christ on a bike, boss. The police station is no place for a four year old.”
“I know. I know. DS White’s team have been liaising with the local authority to try and get him a permanent foster placement.” The mention of Lucas’ name had Oliver sitting a little straighter, something that was not missed by Inspector Callahan.
“Yes… well. Speaking of DS White. Oliver, I’m afraid to say you will no longer be working together. At least not with how things are at the moment.”
Oliver’s stomach dropped. “What? But I…boss, did I do something wrong? I swear I didn’t intentionally disobey DS White’s orders, I just?—”
The blood, the howl, the sudden shift, the shared emotions that passed between them. None of it felt like it was in their control.
Inspector Callahan held up a hand in a placative gesture. “Calm yourself, DC Reed. You aren’t in any trouble. But DS White, myself, and the Metropolitan Police have decided that after what happened, the two of you will work separately for the time being.”
“Separately? Boss, is Lucas in trouble?”
The Inspector shook his head before getting to his feet. “Just take the next few days off. I need you fighting fit if you’re going to interview all these exploited children.”
Oliver huffed, because that did gosomeway to calming his racing thoughts. It meant he wasn’t being taken off the case altogether. They still needed him, still needed his expertise. But it still wasn’t the answer he wanted. He wanted to know if Lucas was alright.
“Oh come on now, DC Reed. Don’t pout.”
Oliver nodded, training his face back into neutrality. “Apologies, sir. I’ll see you in a few days.”
