Free Vicious Circle by Wilbur Smith Page B

listened a few seconds and frowned. Then he felt for a pulse at her wrist and said softly, ‘I am sorry, Mr Cross.’
    Gently, he passed his hand over Hazel’s face, closing her staring blue eyes. Then he reached down for the bed sheet and drew it up to cover her face.
    ‘No!’ Hector caught his wrist. ‘Don’t cover her. I want to remember her face for ever. Please leave us alone for a while.’ He looked at Sister Palmer who was hovering at the foot of the bed. ‘You too, Sister. There is nothing more you can do here.’ The two of them left quietly.
    Hector knelt beside the bed. He had not prayed in a long while but he prayed now. Then he stood up and wiped his eyes.
    ‘This is not goodbye, Hazel. Wherever you have gone, wait for me. One day we will be together again. Wait for me, my darling.’ He kissed her on the mouth. Her lips were already cooling. He drew the sheet over her face and went to the door.
    *
    On the way to the exit he stopped at the maternity wards and knocked on the door of the nurses’ room. A sister appeared. ‘May I help you, Mr Cross?’ Hector was mildly surprised that she knew his name. He had no idea of the flutter he had created in the staff room. The word had spread.
    ‘I am looking for a nurse called Bonnie.’
    ‘Bonnie Hepworth? She went off duty an hour ago.’
    ‘What time will she come on again?’
    ‘Six o’clock this evening.’
    ‘Thank you. May I see my daughter now? She was born last night.’
    ‘Yes, I know.’ She glanced at her clipboard and found the name. ‘Catherine. Okay. Let’s go to the observation room.’
    When they arrived, Hector pressed close against the glass. ‘She looks more human than a few hours ago.’ The nurse looked disapproving. He had learned that they didn’t like derogatory remarks about their babies, and hurried on. ‘When will she be discharged?’
    ‘Well…’ The sister looked doubtful. ‘She is a Caesarean and her mother…’
    ‘When can I come and fetch her?’ Hector insisted.
    ‘Probably three or four days if all goes well, but of course it’s up to Doctor Naidoo.’
    ‘I’ll be back this evening to visit her,’ he promised.
    He went out to where the Range Rover stood in the car park. He walked around it to check the damage. It was filthy with dried mud and the front offside bumper was buckled. He climbed in and started the engine, and then drove back towards Brandon Hall.
    He was on the direct road from Winchester, which took him past the scene of the ambush. Police Crime Scene tape cordoned off the area, but Hazel’s Ferrari had been towed away. Three police officers were still taking measurements and working the site for further evidence.
    Hector slowed for the road block, but one of the officers waved him through.
    Reynolds, the butler, opened the door for him. ‘It’s very good to see you, sir. We were very worried when you and Mrs Cross did not return yesterday evening. Mrs Cross is not with you?’ He looked over Hector’s shoulder. Hector ignored the question.
    ‘Please have Mary bring a pot of coffee up to my study. Then this afternoon at two o’clock I want the entire staff assembled in the blue drawing room.’
    Hector went upstairs. He set out his shaving kit, but then on an impulse decided to let his beard grow as a tribute of mourning for Hazel. Instead he showered and went through to his dressing room in a bathrobe. Mary brought the coffee tray.
    ‘Have you and Mrs Cross had breakfast, sir?’
    ‘Don’t worry about breakfast. Did Mr Reynolds tell you about the staff meeting?’
    ‘Yes, he did, sir.’
    Hector dressed in casual country cords and brogues and went to his study at the end of the passage. He sat at his desk and reached for the phone. Paddy answered on the fourth ring.
    ‘Paddy, it’s a crying bastard to have to tell you this. Hazel didn’t make it. She died at five o’clock this morning.’
    There was an echoing silence as Paddy weighed his reply, then he said hoarsely, ‘My