Chapter 32

Neighbours had come out of their houses and one had been recruited to look after the children. Dan would be going to the hospital with Sam. He was heading for the hospital in District 31 where this whole escapade had begun. When Dan saw Dr Frobisher, he started to cry. It was a reminder of his entrance into this world only a few months before.

The bullet had hit Sam in the stomach and her prognosis was bad. Dan had held her hand in the ambulance and he had been surprised by his wife's reaction to the events. She had not screamed and cried or blamed him. She had gritted her teeth against the pain was trying to be brave.

There was an acceptance in Sam's attitude. She knew she was badly injured and she was getting her thoughts and words in order.

"We were happy sometimes and we have two beautiful children. Take care of them. You are not responsible for the actions of a madman. I know I'm difficult to live with, anxious and unsettled. Now I can rest." They were the words of someone preparing to die.

Dan made a phone call to Eric. The poor man had lost his wife and now his only child had been shot. Dan had to be honest and say that things were not looking good. He had given an abridged version of his story to his father-in-law after he had spoken to the police. It would not be a good idea to try to hide his involvement from a member of the OWG. Eric would know that the resistance was to blame.

Eric got to the hospital in time to see his daughter and hold her hand before she died. Dan was humbled as he heard her tell her father not to blame Dan.

"He is too kind. He was trying to help Phyllis and he got in a mess. You must work together to stop this man." There was no declaration of love between Dan and Sam because they both knew that there was none. Dan kissed her and they exchanged a smile before she closed her eyes. They had made some sort of peace.

Dr Frobisher spoke to Dan. He had not been the one to treat Sam, but he was aware of what had happened.

"I'm sorry to see you back here under such sad circumstances." He shook Dan's hand and patted him on the back. "Some strange events have gone on in your life it would seem." Dan nodded and went to walk away.

He was called back by the doctor.

"I thought you would have come to see me by now."

Dan apologised for not visiting the doctor after he had been so kind after his accident. Dr Frobisher looked surprised.

"You still don't remember anything about that day. I know this is not a good time, but call in at some time and I will give you your stuff." Dan was open mouthed as the doctor added "The small plastic thing with a screen and a wallet."

His wife had died and all he could think about was what Dr Frobisher had said. It made Dan think back to waking up in the hospital. His first instinct had been to look for his mobile phone, but when strange things started to happen he had been distracted. It seemed he had had his phone on him when he was found unconscious. He was now wondering what he had been wearing when he was found.

Sam had found Dan on the lawn when a neighbour had knocked at the door. She had called an ambulance when he remained unconscious, but had not gone with him to the hospital. After he had been taken away, she had wondered what on earth he was wearing. He had not been in a suit although he was going to work. She thought that maybe he was going to the test centre and had worn special trousers.

He had been taken to the hospital and Dr Frobisher had examined him. The medic had noted his strange attire as well. Dan had been wearing jeans and a shirt, without a tie, so looked like a labourer, not a member of the leadership class. Denim had not been seen by most people in the UK. The doctor had checked Dan's pockets and found a wallet with small plastic cards inside and the other strange thing with a screen.

The circumstances in which Dan had been found and these foreign objects, which had been found with him, were baffling to the doctor. For some reason he had spirited the man's possessions away before anyone else could see them and pass comment. He had expected Dan to return and ask for them, but he hadn't. It was only their latest encounter which had reminded him about the items and prompted him to talk to Dan.

Dan really wanted to go to the District 31 hospital to see what Dr Frobisher had, but it would have to wait. The police had arrived and he was now facing questioning about his wife's murder. He was not a suspect, but he was a witness and they wanted to know exactly what had happened.

After Dan had left the scene in the ambulance with Sam, the police had interviewed their neighbours. All of the people they spoke to mentioned the sound of the alarm and the officers had stepped on and off of the contraptions which were near each of the windows and the doors. The noise had kept everyone in the street awake.

Dan told the police that he had been worried about the family's security following his identifying Bertie as the rebel who had released the gas. His questioners were fascinated by his alarms and expressed their regret that, although they had worked, it had not saved Mrs Ellis. If Bertie had not had a gun, they would have been alright.

Eric had shaken Dan's hand after they had left the room where Sam had died. He had not spoken, but the gesture had signified some sort of understanding between them. The children were their bond and focus now and they had to stay in contact and behave cordially for their sake. Dan knew that now was not the time for an exchange of words.

The MOD arrived at Dan's house the next day to ask questions about the attack. It was a terrible intrusion into a house in mourning. Dan was visibly upset and so were the children. Phyllis was distressed as well because her son had killed Sam. She had offered to leave Dan's employ, but he had refused. The children knew and liked her and their welfare was what was important at the moment. None of what had happened was her fault.

Grace and Alex were confused and tearful as they asked where their mother was. His daughter had an inkling of what Dan was trying to explain, but Alex would grow up not really remembering his mother. The knock on the door was met by exasperation. What now? Dan went to answer the door as Phyllis mopped her eyes and hugged the children.

The men from the ministry introduced themselves and it was clear that they were not going away despite the circumstances. Dan had given his statement to the police, but he was required to repeat it. He took the men outside and showed them his alarms and they took one away with them.

They were also interested in the fight between the thug and Dan. The police had spoken about the amazing moves which Dan had performed and had resulted in the capture of Bertie's accomplice. Where had he learned to do those things? Dan was being backed into a corner. He had no explanation for his martial arts and didn't know whether the men were aware of this style of fighting. He could hardly say that he had watched a Bruce Lee film.

"I saw some men in the countryside doing something similar. I'm not used to brawling and he had a knife so I thought I'd kick like I'd seen those men do. It was safer than trying to punch or wrestle with him."

His rapidly constructed story seemed to have been accepted and the questions changed to another subject.

Any chance of Dan leading a quiet life had completely disappeared. He was firmly on the MOD's radar and it seemed that they had not finished with him yet. Three days later he was told that his presence was required at an army base situated ten miles outside of the town. Why he was being summoned was not revealed and Dan was left to imagine a range of ever more terrifying scenarios.

Martin arrived at the house to offer his condolences.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am, Dan. It was Bertie."

"Yes, it was."

Dan gave the details of the attack to his friend and he showed him the alarm system too. The troubling request to attend the army base was discussed and they decided that it was probably not a good thing. There was nothing to be done now except attend the base as requested.

The atmosphere in the house was odd. There was a gap where Sam had been, but there was also a sense of peace. Her nervous tension had pervaded the home affecting the children as well as Dan and Phyllis. An eerie calm had taken over and Dan and his servant could now talk and act like the friends they were.

The funeral would be held in a few days. Eric would host the wake at his house and he was taking care of the arrangements. He had asked Dan if he could organise things and the unpleasant job had been handed over without argument. Before then Dan would be going to his meeting with the army and he was dreading that nearly as much as he was dreading burying Sam.