Gods and Monsters

XIII

St Bartholomew's Hospital, London

Peggy and Charlie briskly walked into the hospital, keen to see Nick. Peggy had received a message from one of the doctors that Charlie's research had proven successful and Nick was now recovering well after his operation. Even though he'd need a few days' rest, Peggy was just glad that he was going to be alright. Peggy began to speak as the elevator started moving upwards.

"I wanted to thank you again, Charlie. Without you, I'd be visiting the hospital now likely to say goodbye to Nick. Now we might be leading a task force alongside you. Not exactly what I'd have expected after our meeting this morning. So, thank you."

"Please, I haven't had this much excitement for a few months. You see I was in Scotland after this young lady had told me-" He was cut-off when the doors opened and they were met by Rachel.

"Hello, Peggy. I presume this is Mr Quinn. It's a pleasure to meet you. I wanted to say thank you for what you did for Detective Campbell earlier. You'll have to let me have a look at that device of yours, it could be something the hospital can use in the future. Rachel stuck her hand out to be shaken, but instead Charlie lifted it up, planting a light kiss upon her knuckles, which she didn't seem to mind.

"It was my pleasure. Unfortunately, I have to go now, I have a pub to open up! Hopefully, we'll meet again when we're working on the task force!"

"Task force?" Rachel questioned. "What does he mean by that?"

Working for a secret government task force might be a problem if one of the people involved was as seemingly poor at keeping it a secret as Charlie was.

"Nothing. It's just an inside joke," Peggy replied to her, trying to play it off as nothing. "What do you mean 'open up a pub'? I didn't know you worked at a pub?" She then said, directing her attention at Charlie.

"Well, as you haven't read my file there'll be a lot that you don't know about me. Oh, and I don't just work at a pub, I own it. I'll text you the address later."

Peggy wasn't sure what confused her more. The fact that she really didn't know who Charlie was or the fact that he had travelled all this way up to Nick's room with her before suddenly realising he had to leave. She quickly patted her pocket to ensure her keys were still in place.

"I'm surprised you're here, Rachel. Isn't this usually the time of day where you're performing autopsies and the like?"

"Usually, yes. My assistant volunteered to hold the fort so I could come and check up on Detective Campbell. When I arrived I found I was a bit too late. I was just leaving. Why are you here, I thought you'd want to be with Nick?" Peggy couldn't understand what Rachel meant and found herself letting out a nervous chortle.

"That's why I'm here; to see Nick? Has he been moved to another ward or something?"

Rachel now looked equally puzzled. "I was told that he'd discharged himself pretty soon after the operation? Apparently you were waiting outside to take him home? The hospital had no real say as now the operation was complete he could self-medicate himself. They suggested he stay, but he insisted."

This worried Peggy. She hadn't heard anything from Nick and couldn't understand why he'd lie about such a thing. She had to remain calm, though. There was probably a simple explanation for this.

"Oh, he must have made his way home already then. I got the message a bit late but thought I'd check to see if he was still hanging around. Guess not. Thanks for the help Rachel. I'll be seeing you around." With that, Peggy spun round and headed back towards the elevator before Rachel could ask her anything else. She needed to get back to Nick's now and see why he'd discharged himself and why he'd lied about her waiting for him. Surely there would be a simple explanation for it... wouldn't there?

Continued in Part 14