Burning Bright

Chapter 39

‘I’ve got to see her!’

‘Eoin?’ I could hear my own voice but it sounded echoey.

There was a short pause and then I felt him hold my hand. ‘I’m here.’

‘What happened?’

‘They operated. A piece of bone must have broken off and was pressing on your spinal cord. They’ve removed it and checked for other fragments, but didn’t find any. The doctor said you’re going to be fine.’

‘The trial?’

‘Patel was found guilty. Banjul found one of the tiger sanctuary employees had re-opened a disused entrance to the sanctuary. He’d given the keys to Patel.’

‘I’d have liked to have seen his face.’

‘He wasn’t happy. Sentencing is next week.’

‘So I missed all the fun?’

‘Christ, I was scared when they said you’d been rushed back to the hospital. The Magistrate wanted to see me about something, but I didn’t wait to find out what it was. Manish was going to see him.’

‘I hope you’re not in any trouble.’

‘Me? As if,’ and I smiled back into sleep.

Manish arrived that evening. I was still woozy, but roused long enough to hear the good news. Given that the tiger poachers had been prosecuted, Eoin was to be given a full pardon.

‘So no GBH record?’ Eoin asked.

‘No.’

‘Oh.’

‘Don’t tell me you’re going to miss it?’ Manish asked.

‘Well . . .’

‘You do realise it could have stopped you from getting visas, don’t you?’

‘Ah, well, I hadn’t really thought about it like that. Kate, did you hear that?’

‘Mmm . . . s’good, Eoin. Thanks Manish.’

I was finally discharged a very boring five weeks later under strict instructions about what I could and couldn’t do. Mostly couldn’t. Including moving back into my first floor flat, so Eoin had arranged our transfer to a ground floor one and even unpacked all my belongings. After a fashion. I had to wear a chest brace and stay in the wheelchair, but I was welcomed back to the compound with flowers and cards, including one from the tiger sanctuary.

I spoke to Moira on Skype who looked tired but excited.

‘Have you sold the documentary?’ Eoin asked her, now it was finished with the update of the trial results.

‘No.’

‘Oh.’ I saw Eoin’s face fall.

‘It’s now the subject of a bidding war. Whatever happens, it’s going global. Just when I think I’m close to closing the deal, I get another enquiry and a higher offer. Macken, are you trying to kill me?’

‘You’ll get your percentage,’ he said with a laugh.

‘I am earning every single cent. I hope you’re going to take a holiday and look after Kate.’

‘I can do that without taking a holiday. And I have something in mind.’

‘Oh God. Kate, can’t you stop him?’

‘Me? I have no control over him whatsoever!’

‘Hey, you tried to mow me down in that thing yesterday!’