(no subject)

[guppy_sandhu]

(Previously: Guppy's boss Harry has asked his flatmate Abs, who is a nurse in his department, to keep an eye on him and see if he can find anything out about the bruises.)

"Have you found anything out?"
Abs nods. Trying to be discreet in the middle of reception is difficult, but they're both busy people. They go to one side and stand next to the security desk out of the way.
"Whoever has hurt him has had another go. He came home with a couple of new bruises on Tuesday and he was very quiet all evening. I mean more quiet than normal."
"Did he say anything?"
Abs shakes his head. "No, he tried to tell me they were there before. Which was a lie, because I know they weren't. Looks like he was grabbed around the throat."
Harry thinks about this carefully. "What time was this on Tuesday? He was here most of the day."
"Late afternoon. My shift finished an hour after his did. When I got home he was just curled up on the sofa in the living room on his own with a cup of tea. Stayed like that for ages just thinking and then went upstairs."
"Which means that he was attacked some time between the end of his shift and when he got home. That's one hour. If it was anywhere near here, we should be able to find it on the CCTV."
Harry turns around to the man on the security desk.
"Excuse me, do you think you could look at some CCTV pictures for us? We're looking for anything involving Dr Sandhu on Tuesday afternoon between about four and five."
"Sure, I'll find you the tape. He said he wasn't pressing charges though, and the man seemed to have calmed down so I left them to it."
Harry and Abs look at one another in astonishment. Security knew he'd been attacked and hadn't told anyone? The guard takes the tape down from a shelf and sticks it into a video player, fast forwarding it to the right place. The three watch it, Abs and Harry with increasing amazement.
"Is that who I think it is?"
Harry looks closely at the screen. "That's Jas isn't it? Who's the other guy?"
The guard shakes his head. "The little chap? Said he'd come along to help Dr Sandhu with his father, who wasn't well."
"Rubbish. Jas works here." Harry says, starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together. They watch as Gil pretends to fix the tyres, but is constantly looking over his shoulder at Guppy. Then they see Jas grab Guppy by the throat, causing Gil to jump up and intervene.
"That explains the throat marks. I'd say the other guy came along to keep an eye on things." Abs says, looking closely at body language and such. Maybe a friend of Guppy's. He looks closely as Jas' trousers fall down and the car door falls off, thinking it's a bit odd but a handy coincidence. Without saying a word they watch Jas about to punch Guppy, stopped by Gil, hitting him and elbowing his son in the stomach.
"This is where I come in." the guard adds, showing himself on the screen. They watch silently as the fight stops, Jas goes, and Guppy and Gil head home in the opposite direction.

Harry looks absolutely furious. He thanks Abs and the guard, takes the tape and goes upstairs. It doesn't take him long to find Jas, sitting in his office doing paperwork. He bursts in, slams the door and places the tape in front of the very surprised consultant. Jas eyes the tape.
"Something wrong, Harry?"
"Oh yes." Harry picks up the tape. "I have here video evidence of you assaulting a member of my staff."
"What happens between me and my son outside of your department is none of your business."
"It is my business if it affects his work. I can't believe that things are that bad between you. It's bad enough you coming down and berating him in front of all of us but physical violence? I think the GMC will be very interested to hear that you can't control yourself."
Jas stands up and gives Harry a dangerous look.
"Do as you like." he says coldly. "Guppy will not back you up, and you will look a fool."
"Why would Guppy side with you?"
"Because if he doesn't, he knows he'll lose his mother as well. You can't win Harry."
"Emotional blackmail as well? You make me sick. Regardless of what you say I shall strongly advise Guppy to report this to the police."
"You do that." Jas says, trying not to look as worried as he feels.
Harry storms out of the office and goes in search of Guppy, then realises it's his day off. Well, even SHOs get one occasionally. He glances at his watch and decides it's time for a lunch break. Going to his office, he finds Abs outside.
"I've finished my shift now, Harry. What would you like me to say to Guppy?"
Harry gets his keys from the office. "We'll go together. I've got a lunch break."
The house is only a minute or so away. Inside they find Guppy in the living room, doing a fiendish Su Doku out of The Times whilst nursing a hangover. He looks up in surprise when Harry and Abs come in. Harry places the tape on the table in front of him. Guppy goes pale.
"What's that?"
"It's a tape, Guppy. It shows you being beaten up by your father." Harry says, getting to the point. Abs sits down next to Guppy whilst Harry stands in front of them.
"He didn't mean to hurt me. I'm not pressing charges."
"He did mean to hurt you Guppy. I don't know why, but you mustn't let him do that." Harry looks at him very seriously. "I spoke to him. He said you wouldn't press charges, but I really wish that you would. We can't make you, I know."
Guppy is red with shame now. He puts his head in his hands and Abs puts his hand on Guppy's shoulder comfortingly.
"It's all right mate. Now that it's out in the open we won't let him near you again. Will you let us look at the bruises?"
Guppy nods and pulls his shirt up to let Harry and Abs see. There's no point in hiding them now. He doesn't make eye contact with them so that he can't see their reaction. Eventually, knowing there's nothing else he can do for him if he won't cooperate, Harry goes, leaving Guppy in Abs' capable hands for the rest of the afternoon.