3 The Surgeon's Blade

by Faith Mortimer

  Libby eyed the hot bread. It did smell good, and wanting to please him, she put a roll onto the plate in front of her. “I’ll try. I still feel a bit queasy, and my head aches.”

  “You’d better have some water then, too.” Robert filled a glass. “Drink that before the coffee and then eat,” he ordered.

  Libby gave a small smile at his bossiness and drained the glass. “Aye, aye Captain sir.”

  “So where is the illustrious surgeon boyfriend this weekend then?”

  At first, Libby ignored Robert as she fiddled with her breakfast. Knowing that he wouldn’t let Nigel’s absence remain unexplained, she laid her knife down with a sigh.

  “Nigel had to go up to London. It was something to do with his last meeting there. He didn’t really have time to explain to me in detail.”

  “Uh-huh. Goes there a lot does he?”

  Libby frowned as she thought about Robert’s question. “Quite a bit.”

  Robert bit into his roll and chewed as he watched her playing with a jar of honey.

  “Wasn’t he married before?”

  “Yes. How did you know that?” She spooned some of the honey from the jar and watched as it dripped onto the bread.

  “I can’t remember where I heard it. Maybe it was when Stephanie was in hospital or…no, I remember now. It was Jem.”

  “Jem? When did you see him?” Libby’s knife clattered on her plate when she dropped it in surprise.

  “I ran into him last week. We like the same pub down in Hamble Village. I’d been doing some work on Caterina one evening and popped into the pub for a drink before going home. He was there with Simon. We had a couple of pints together.”

  “Ah, I see.” Libby said, taking a tiny bite of honeyed roll. She thought it was a bit odd that Robert should bump into Jem. As far as she knew, Jem and Robert had only met the once, at the concert when Stephanie had her accident. If anything, she was surprised they had even recognised one another.

  “He said that your Nigel had been married before to another doctor. Apparently, she works in the States.”

  Libby nodded. “Yes, she spends part of the time in New York and London. She’s a psychiatrist.” So they had been discussing Nigel and most probably her. Jem was a real old gossip at times.

  “So, when is he returning home?”

  “I’m not sure, he didn’t say for definite. I only know he’s going to be away for the whole of the weekend.” More questions! Libby flashed him an irritated look.

  Robert finished his roll and reached for another. “Come on, Libby, eat. You’ll feel a lot better, I promise you.”

  “Okay, I’m sorry to be so slow, these are delicious.”

  “When you feel up to it, I’ll run you back to your car, and we’ll try and get it started. I suggest we take it to a garage to get it looked at. There’s one round the corner, not far from where Stephanie and Graham live. I’ve used them before. They’re thorough and not unreasonable. Is that okay with you?”

  “But I can’t have you going to loads of trouble on my account. I know I should have had it checked out ages ago. I can get a taxi…” Her voice trailed away, knowing somehow that Robert would never leave her to deal with her problem car on her own.

  “Libby.”

  “What?”

  “Stop talking. I’m sorting it for you and that’s that. I bet you haven’t taken it for a service for months. If only you women knew how dangerous neglected cars can be. I assume you never check the brakes or the tyres? The simplest of tasks too! Do you know the five cardinal rules for looking after your car?”

  Bemused, Libby shook her head. She could feel a short lecture coming on.

  “Well first, keep an eye on your brake pads. If you neglect your brake pads and shoes, your brakes will ultimately fail. Secondly, change the oil. Oil is the lifeblood of the engine. As a nurse, you should know all about that! Then there’s the air and fuel filters which need changing regularly, and finally, replace your headlight bulbs when they burn out. Oh, and of course, good tyres with plenty of tread.

  "Now come on, finish your breakfast. When you’re ready, we’ll get going.” He glanced at her clothing and gave a cheeky grin. “That dress you’re wearing may be okay for a party, but it’s definitely a no-no as far as the garage is concerned. I wonder what the boys there will think!”

  ~~~~~

  Libby’s car needed at least a full day’s work and the garage manager promised he would do his best to let her have it ready some time on Monday. Robert and Libby wandered back to Robert’s own car. Once seated, he asked Libby if she needed to be run anywhere else that morning.

  “No, I don’t think so, thanks for asking though. I really should be…” Libby’s voice trailed off as her attention was held by a silver Porsche Cayman S which had stopped at the traffic lights. Robert followed her gaze and then turned to Libby with a quizzical look upon his face.

  “What’s the matter?”

  For a moment, Libby didn’t answer. When she did, her face had paled. She slid down in her seat below the dashboard.

  “That’s Nigel’s car. I recognise the number plate.”

  Robert swivelled his head round. “And if I’m not mistaken, that’s the man himself. I wonder who that is with him.” He glanced back in Libby’s direction with an almost accusatory look. “I thought you said he was away until at least after the weekend?”

  “I did. I wonder why he’s back so early. I hope he hasn’t seen me. You know how jealous he can be.”

  “Not just jealous, downright unreasonable if you ask me. No, he’s not looking your way. You can come up now the lights have changed.”

  Libby sat up straight and cast a tentative look towards the road. “Sorry. I just didn’t want another scene. I know you’ve got me out of a hole today, but Nigel can be irrational, like you just said.”

  “Well, let’s get going anyway. Luckily, we’re going in the opposite direction. How’s the headache now, Libby?”

  “Nearly gone, thank you.”

  They drove the rest of the way in comparative silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Libby was still wondering what Nigel was doing back in Southampton, when he had quite definitely told her he would be in London for the whole of the weekend. None of it made sense. Neither did the last time, when she had gone sailing with Robert, and Nigel had spotted them as they motored up the Hamble River. If she didn’t know better, she might have suspected he was seeing someone else. Libby thought it highly unlikely in view of how often he had asked her to go and live with him. She suddenly realised what Robert had said earlier, about seeing someone in Nigel’s car. She hardly dared ask if the person with Nigel was male or female. She was sure she knew what the answer would be.

  As they pulled up outside her flat, Libby couldn’t help having a quick look around to make sure Nigel was nowhere to be seen. Robert must have read her thoughts, as he gave her a roguish grin.

  “It looks like it’s safe. Your fiancé is nowhere in sight.”

  Libby gave him an apologetic glance. “Sorry. I know he was going in the opposite direction to us.”

  “Come on, that’s not all that’s worrying you, is it?”

  “You’ll no doubt think I’m daft, but I just have this horrible feeling that I’m being watched sometimes. I’m sure it’s because we’ve been talking about that awful attack on that poor nurse, and I’m probably being paranoid, but I haven’t felt that everything is as it should be since I came out of hospital. And on top of everything else, I’m feeling a bit low. Depressed is too strong a word for it, but I honestly don’t feel right.”

  Robert looked worried as he listened to her words. “Have you seen your GP? It may be a backlash from your accident, the depression thing. Look, I know you won’t want me to suggest this, but I’d like to check that everything is all right in your flat. It’ll make me feel better knowing you’ll be okay. Can I come in and make sure all the doors and windows are secure. At least then you can sleep safely at night. Are you the only key holde
r to your flat?”

  “Yes. I’ve never given one to anyone, except—”

  He flashed a look at her. “Except?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing really. Forget I said that.”

  Robert didn’t say anything, as he climbed from his car. He waited for Libby to walk round the front. She hadn’t answered his question.

  She paused at her front door as she searched in her handbag for her keys and then, turning to Robert, indicated that he should follow her inside.

  “I need to change out of this ridiculous dress into something more casual. Can I leave you to look around down here? Help yourself to coffee if you like. There’s a canister of instant on the worktop in the kitchen, or use the coffee machine.”

  While Libby ran upstairs, Robert prowled around each room. All the windows were fitted with safety locks and looked to be in good condition. The French windows also had substantial fastenings on them. The only door that looked a bit doubtful was the kitchen one. For some reason there was no extra safety lock, just one of those safety chains that he hated. Robert was testing it against his weight as Libby walked into the kitchen.

  “Everything looks okay, except this one. Why is there no safety lock on here – only a chain?” he asked.

  “Because it’s a new door, and I haven’t got round to having one fitted. I thought the chain would be enough. Jem fitted it for me.”

  “Well, it might be okay, but I’m not sure if someone gave it a really tough shove. If the person was strong and determined, they might be able to pull the screws out. I think we’ll get another lock for you. I’ll get one next week, and I can fit it if you like. Or if you prefer, a locksmith could do it.”

  “Robert, you’re being very kind. I don’t know if I deserve it. Am I a pain?”

  He gave her a look. “You probably don’t deserve it. And I don’t know about a pain, but I do think you’re becoming a high-maintenance woman.”

  Libby stared at him in dismay, until he gave a short laugh. “Libby, I’m teasing! Of course you’re not a pain – most of the time anyway. Now, what about that coffee you promised me?”

  ~~~~~

  Later, they sat in the garden while they drank their cappuccinos. Libby was reminded of the last time she had had one down on the front at West Quay. She wondered who his tanned and attractive companion had been that day, and she speculated on how she could bring the subject into their conversation. She was also wildly curious about the child. Supposing Robert was a father? What if he was really married? Surely, Stephanie wouldn’t have lied to Libby about Robert needing to find someone, would she?

  “Are you sure you haven’t got something more pressing to do than play nursemaid to me? What about your boat? Aren’t you going sailing today?” she eventually asked.

  Robert looked amused. “Libby, my time is my own, and yes, I am planning to spend some time on Caterina this weekend. Why?”

  “Nothing really.”

  “I know last time ended badly, and I’m sorry it happened. But are you fishing for an invitation to join me?”

  Libby gave a laugh while thinking about it. She missed regular ‘messing about in boats’, and part of her would have loved an excuse to say 'yes'. Somehow, the thought of Nigel got in the way; thinking of Nigel had her pondering something else. Despite his apparent love of sailing, as far as she knew, Nigel hadn’t taken Tourbillon out since the round the island race. Libby wondered why ever not? She knew he was busy, but everyone needed some time away from work.

  She gave Robert a smile and shook her head. “No, thank you. I don’t want to give Nigel any further cause for complaint. He’ll probably get in touch with me later today and explain why he’s back home early. Besides, isn’t there anyone else you could invite to crew for you?”

  “Most of my friends are tied up with their families at the weekend, and Stephanie couldn’t manage with her leg in plaster.”

  “I just wondered about your girlfriend.”

  Robert frowned. Then his face creased in amusement as he realised who she meant. “Ah! You mean the lovely Diana.”

  Libby fidgeted as she realised how transparent she had been. “Is that her name?”

  “It is.”

  “When I saw her with you, I thought that I recognised her. Where does she work?”

  Putting down his empty coffee cup, Robert glanced at his watch. “I very much doubt that you would have met her unless you’ve recently paid a visit to Cyprus. Diana lives there now. No, I doubt if she would be able to make it with her baby, unless she left her with Stephanie. She might, I suppose. Anyway, I must be going, thanks for the coffee. You’re right. I should take advantage of this good spell of weather and get down to the marina. I think a trip across the Solent to Yarmouth would be nice, or maybe I’ll anchor in the Beaulieu River. Last time I was there, I saw an otter swimming across the estuary.”

  “How lovely! I’d heard they were making a comeback,” Libby replied, only half paying attention to his words. So that explained the woman’s tan! She lived in Cyprus. When they had first met, Robert had mentioned someone who lived in Cyprus and was connected to him. Wasn’t she a cousin or something?

  As Robert stood up to leave, Libby suddenly felt downright miserable. For some reason, she didn’t want to spend the rest of the day alone. “Will you go on your own then?”

  He cast another look at his watch. “I don’t suppose so. No, don’t get up I’ll see myself out. Bye, Libby.”

  She was left holding the empty coffee cups as Robert walked back into the house. As she heard the door close behind him, she felt even more desolate and couldn’t understand why.

  Giving herself a scolding, she followed in Robert’s footsteps back into the kitchen. She rinsed the cups and popped them in the dishwasher, wondering whether to give Nigel a ring. She was intrigued to discover he was back in Southampton He had been quite emphatic when he had told her he was needed in London. Perhaps the meeting had been cancelled at the last minute. If so, why hadn’t he telephoned her?

  Libby picked up her mobile and dialled his number. While she waited to be connected, she wandered into her living room. Picking up the television remote control she flicked it on for the local news. Nigel’s telephone rang and rang, and while she waited, she watched the latest information concerning the assault on the nurse. With a shock, she heard the description of the attacker; thin and dark, possibly late thirties to early forties and dressed in a doctor’s white coat. There was some mention that the assailant could have been wearing a wig, so the hair colour wasn’t guaranteed. He was wearing a white doctor’s coat…surely the attacker wasn’t a doctor? Libby was at first horrified to think that a doctor – a man of healing – could be the suspect. Then reason took over. It was, after all, simple to obtain a white lab coat and impersonate any doctor. There were many incidents in history where members of the medical profession turned out to be charlatans and murderers.

  Libby was just about to cancel the call to Nigel when it was answered.

  “Hello?”

  Libby didn’t recognise the male voice at the other end and assumed she had misdialled. “I’m sorry, I believe I have a wrong number. Sorry to trouble you.” She was about to cancel the call when the voice replied.

  “Who are you calling?”

  “Nigel St John.” She paused. “Is he there?”

  There was a pause from the other end, and she thought she caught a brief muffled comment before the voice returned. “No, I’m afraid not. We have this mobile in our possession and want to return it to its owner. Perhaps you could give me more details please? Nigel who and where can I find him?”

  Libby had a rapid think. She had no right to give out Nigel’s personal details. Her mind whirled as she wondered what she should do. “Er, just where did you find his phone?” she replied. “And who are you?”

  Again, there was a slight pause before the voice said, “This is Detective Inspector Collins. The phone was handed in at Southampton General. We’ve been trying to find the owner
so that we can return it.”

  Chapter 19

  Libby was frustrated. Not only had she no means of transport, but now she knew the reason she hadn’t been able to get in touch with Nigel. When they’d first met, she thought it strange that Nigel had no landline in his flat. When she had queried it, he explained that he preferred using his mobile. As he was so often away travelling, it was much easier for his patients to contact him that way. That was all very well, but it didn’t help her that weekend.

  Libby briefly explained to the policeman who Nigel was and her relationship to him. The inspector thanked her for her time and assistance, and after taking her name and number, said they would be in touch if need be. In the meantime, they would hold onto the phone.

  Libby wandered around her flat still feeling a bit low. She couldn’t decide whether it was because Nigel was here and hadn’t bothered getting in touch with her or because she was miffed at Robert, who was probably right now enjoying an exhilarating sail over to the Isle of Wight with the gorgeous Diana by his side, cousin or not.