The Dark Knight Of The Soul

Chapter Twenty Three

As the police car pulled up in the street, Ellie stepped out of her car and walked towards the tall, police officer. Ellie looked at the house as she got closer to PC Stevens, a tall, stout officer, with a greying beard and balding head. He mirrored Ellie's gestures, by looking up at the house. He stopped to stare and then lifted his radio up to his mouth on his left.

"Requesting back up." He said firmly, talking to his shoulder, the line started crackling.

The other police officer caught Ellie's eye and he beckoned her over to the pavement. He took out his pad and pen and asked her what happened.

Ellie explained everything again to the police officer as the ambulance came into the road. Neighbours along the street were now up close in their window, or walking down their drive, intrigued, watching the commotion. Ellie noticed Julia parking her car, she kept her eyes fixed as she slammed her car door and walked closer to Ellie. "What's happening now?" Julia asked.

PC Stevens introduced himself and said he was ready to go in when both Ellie and Julia were ready.

"Ok," Julia said, turning to look at Ellie. "You ready."

Ellie looked wide eyes with curiosity and nodded slowly.

Harrison opened the door, looking flushed and surprised as he was greeted by PC Stevens.

"Alright kid. What's the problem?" He asked wide eyed with a jovial tone.

"Harrison. We've been called to your house," PC Stevens paused, turning to look over his left shoulder as Julia and Ellie stepped up behind him.

"What?" Harrison answered, his face expressed confusion.

"The clinicians believe your wife is in danger. We need to gain entry to your house," PC. Stevens spoke discreetly, feeling awkward.

"She's asleep," he smiled confidently. Ellie was more guarded as she listened to Harrison. "She said she wasn't up to attending today!" He added, directing this to Ellie as he looked her squarely in the eye.

"She's asking for help." Ellie replied, in a confident, assertive tone as Harrison smacked the palm of his hand against his forehead indicating his bewilderment. His eyebrows pinched together as he frowned. Ellie stepped back from the porch, she pointed up to the front bedroom window and Harrison stepped out and looked up to see the four large words written on the bedroom window.

He shook his head and rolled his eyes, "oh Jesus," he mumbled, "what's going on in her head?" He said, directing the conversation at Ellie. "She's lost the plot!" He said shaking his head. "She needs help that's for sure...." He added, "She needs to be sectioned!" Harrison stated assertively. He coolly invited everybody into the hallway. "I suggested that we get divorced and she gone all psychotic on me!" He mentioned casually to his colleagues then turned to focus on Ellie and Julia. "Do you think she can be admitted. She's constantly telling lies and I can't keep up with her!" He spoke with urgency and concern. Both Ellie and Julia remained poker faced, the two police officers both engaged with Harrison's angst. PC Stevens gently patted Harrison's shoulder, to offer his support.

"What do you mean?" Julia asked, turning to frown at Ellie. Both women were observing, taking note of everything Harrison spoke.

"She's totally paranoid. Calls me at work crying every day," his tone of voice and expression was animated and enthralled. "she's really paranoid too. She's left windows open and denies she's done it. She puts washing in the microwave. It's crazy." He paused. "She threatened me saying she'd commit suicide if I left?" He shook his head is dismay.

"You mentioned that she keeps leaving windows open? When did she last do that?" Ellie asked noisily.

"Last week," he announced confidently.

"On Monday?" Ellie asked, and Julia interrupted. "We need to see her," she could sense the anger emitting from Ellie's presence. She pointed towards the stairs. "May we go upstairs."

"Sure," Harrison replied, like any accommodating, concerned, caring husband would.

Ellie and Julia burst through the bedroom door.

"Jenny.. Jenny can you hear me," Ellie asked clearly, nudging Jenny's body for a response. The two paramedics walked into the bedroom, seeing Jenny curled up into a foetal position. Her hair was freshly washed and smelt fresh. Ellie lifted her hand to smell her hand, she noticed the strong scent of mint.

"There's a pulse, let's get her into the ambulance and to the hospital." One of the paramedics replied.

Harrison walked into the room and gasped as he saw the paramedics attach equipment to her hand and chest. He quickly panicked asking "what's happened?"

"She's taken an overdose. We need to get her to emergency room." The paramedics replied. "Do you know what she would have taken?"

Harrison looked like a bereaved widow, shocked and concerned. "Erm she was taking some pills for sleep and for mood I think." He answered, he displayed a convincing masquerade of love and affection he climbed onto the bed and stroked her hair tenderly. "Oh, darling why?" He whispered, looking up to Ellie he spoke in an emotionally distraught tone. "Please help her!"

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