Protecting Miss Dawes - a job like any other

Chapter 8: Charles

When I finally was released from duty that terrible day, I immediately went to see Sam and Rebecka. My boss, CSI Lorraine Craddock, had called me up and informed me about the attack to Sam's school and I think I managed to seem taken aback, like I had not known before, just heard over the radio that it was one school but not exactly that one. And even though I had known I was shaken, so it was not that difficult to react as she would expect me to.

"There were no casualties among the pupils, but some were injured. However, I have learned that your son called in sick earlier in the day and was fetched by your ex-wife. It seems like he had a guardian angel."

I could not make out from the tone of her voice if she was questioning how come Sam had been home, but if there was a question I ignored it. He had indeed had a guardian angel in the shape of Ms. Dawes, but I had to protect that secret. I was blown away by what she had risked by telling me. I was immensely grateful because I knew that if it came out, it would likely be the end of her political career and yet she had done it. If I had hesitated regarding the nature of her character before, she for sure had proven herself now. Lorraine continued;

"We have moved them to a safe house, as we don't know if it has anything to do with you that Sam's school was attacked or if it was coincidence."

"Thanks, Ma'am. I'm very grateful."

"Please come to the office tomorrow morning and we'll talk more, now go see your family."

I drove to the safe house where I had been informed Sam and Rebecka had been taken. He was fine and happy to see me, but not as happy as I was to have him unharmed in my arms and I hugged him long and hard. I almost did not dare to think of what could have happened to him or his friends.

"I can't breathe, dad!" he finally complained, and I had to let him go.

"Okay scamp, I'm just freakin' happy to see you. You go watch some telly and I'll have a chat with your mum."

Rebecka was distressed, naturally. The thought of that it had been so close that Sam was there during the attack, the school blown up, many of his friends and teachers injured, two dead police officers and leaving their home to stay here, that was a lot in one day.

"Did you know?" she asked as soon as we were alone.

"I can't tell you anything. Please, don't ask any questions Rebecka. Let's just be grateful he was not there, okay? And please keep him in bed over the next days as there are police officers around here. I need the story about him having the flu to hold up. Okay? You think you can do that? Otherwise I will be in trouble, and others too who don't deserve it."

Rebecka is bright and she understood there was a good reason she should not ask more questions, so she just nodded.

"I see. I'm grateful either way, but I need to know - are we in danger, Charles? Did this have anything to do with your involvement in the 1st October attack?"

"It may be a coincidence, but it could also be that they were targeting me, or someone next to me as a revenge. We don't know that and that is why you must stay here until we know more. I'll stay here too, I'll take the couch. I should not be staying in my flat either and they can't afford two separate safe houses for us. You think you can live with that?"

"It's fine, I think Sam will just be glad to have you here, and honestly I'm too in this situation."

For the first time in many years, we spent the night under one roof united by the possible danger we might find ourselves in.

-OG-

Next morning, I went to the office like Lorraine had asked me to.

"I hope everything is well with Rebecka and Sam, given the circumstances?", she began.