RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Chapter 12

Shane, with Beryl by his side, booked into the Bedfordview Clinic two hours before the operation, and while staff prepped him, Beryl went downstairs to buy coffee for herself and Raw. She passed the newspaper stand and stopped immediately when she caught the headline:

South African Air Force pilot nominated for United Nations award for Bravery.

A photograph of Gregory depicted his face in front of the UN emblem.

"Oh, my God!" Her entire body turned into a wallet of goosebumps.

She hurried the cashier and dashed upstairs lugging the coffee in a carry tray in one hand, and the newspaper in the other.

Shane lay on his back in the prep room when Beryl stormed in waving the newspaper.

She pushed the paper into Shane's hands.

Gregory arrived while Shane read the article and only Beryl saw him. She lifted a finger to her lips, cautioning him not to enter. He waited in the corridor for Shane to finish reading.

"Holy shit," Shane said after reading the article. "My man's a fucking hero?"

"He certainly is."

Gregory entered the room and revealed the flowers he had hidden behind his back. "Not really. Don't believe everything you read in the papers."

Shane's heart did a double take. Some staff who had seen the headlines, recognised him and stood in the doorway, gawking and smiling.

"My day just got better," Shane said, eyes smiling.

Gregory leaned in for a kiss and Shane touched his face.

"I knew I was right when I met you, Colonel."

"Right about what, detective?"

"About us. And that you're one hell of a human being."

"I follow orders, that's all. I'm like that."

A theatre nurse arrived and promptly dismissed Gregory and Beryl. "The operation won't take long. You'll be able to see him after the operation."

Gregory walked alongside the gurney on the way to the theatre, and before the doors closed, he said, "I'll be here if you need anything. Just holler."

Shane laughed out loud and the doors closed.

Turning to Beryl, Gregory said, "Shall we go downstairs to the restaurant? Talk over a cup of coffee?"

"Sure."

They took a table outside and ordered two cappuccinos.

"He's so happy you came."

"What happened, Beryl?"

Beryl related the story and afterwards he sat stirring his coffee without saying a word.

"My brother doesn't deserve this kind of treatment. He has a heart of gold. Everyone he meets has the utmost respect for him."

Gregory couldn't articulate one word. He looked away and for several long moments just said nothing and swallowed hard.

"It's shocking, I know," Beryl said.

"You're not safe staying in that house with Joe," Gregory said.

"I know. But Shane doesn't think like that. He doesn't want Joe to die alone."

"To hell with Joe. He doesn't deserve you or Shane."

"We can't just kick him out."

"You can. You must. He's unstable and dangerous."

"I've nursed him and administer his drugs for his condition. Beneath it all he's a wonderful person."

"So you accept what he's done here; you accept that he's hurt Shane twice now. Once at the cottage and now this. You accept it because deep down he's a wonderful person? Think about this, what is he going to do next? Hurt you, maybe? Even hurt Shane again?"

"I don't want that to happen."

"Then Shane must tell him to get out of his life. The sooner the better."

"Do you think he will do that? He won't. He will make excuses. Lie to us."

"Let him lie as much as he wants. You know him now. You've seen his true colours. Just do it."

"By the way, I have something to show you. I took this picture from my cell phone." She found the image and showed him.

"That's Joe with another guy."

"Exactly. Joe was supposed to be in Bloemfontein on a business trip these last few days. This image was taken in the Killarney Mall."

"He's kissing the guy."

"I think Joe is seeing someone else."

"When did you take this photo?"

"Yesterday."

"Shane, does he know?"

"Yes. I showed him. He said it could mean anything."

"That's one hell of a kiss."

"Exactly. That's not a quick peck."

"Shane will have to confront him."

"Shane's too scared he'll turn violent again."

"Then we'll all be there to lend him our support."

An hour later, Shane was back in the ward. The surgeon checked the machines when Gregory and Beryl came back.

"How is he, doctor?" Beryl asked.

"He's fine. When he wakes up, he'll be in a lot of pain. The staff know what to do."

"Thank you, doc. I really appreciate this."

"I'lldrop by to check on him later. I'm sure we'll release him today. Now, just onepiece of advice. Whoever did this to him needs to be named and shamed."

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