Eye of the Falcon (Psychic Visions #12)(11)

“Once again we’ve come up against the nicer side of humanity.” Eagle’s voice was sarcastic, even though he tried hard not to let it out.

But he’d seen too much of the world to hold much faith in people. He settled back and watched as Gray stitched the tiny wound closed and placed a bandage over it. When he was done, they shifted her position so her shoulder was up and her arm supported with a pillow under it to stop the shoulder blade from pulling on the wound.

“You better find some clothes for her. Her skin tone is turning gray, and she’s seriously anemic. We need to give her some vitamin shots. But, if she’s hypothermic, that’s another thing altogether.”

With the same thought, Eagle straightened and walked upstairs into his bedroom. He pulled out a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. When he came back, he said, “I’m pretty sure these will swim on her.” With help from Gray, Eagle quickly dressed her, being careful of her shoulder and her many other bruises, scrapes, and cuts. As they pulled the sweatpants over her hips, Eagle said, “I’m worried about that green spot.”

“You should be,” Gray said. “That looks like a blow to her right kidney. Probably a direct punch to gain compliance.”

A muscle worked in Eagle’s jaw as he nodded. “And the rest?”

“I’m hoping they’re all superficial. But I think this rib on the side is cracked. Without an X-ray, I don’t know for sure.” He turned and glanced at Eagle. “Do you know anybody who would give her an X-ray without asking too many questions?”

Eagle shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

“What about the vet you use for the birds?”

Eagle shrugged. “I don’t know that anyone would let me bring in a human patient.” He studied the frail woman. “How badly do you think she needs it?”

“It would be the first thing I’d have done if I was in a hospital. I don’t like some of these bruises. I don’t like the fact multiple colors are in the same spot.”

Eagle pulled a big sock over her foot, tucking it under the loose sweatpants leg, almost smiling when it came to her knees. With the second one on, he tucked her under the bedcovers.

As he walked out of the spare bedroom with Gray, Eagle said, “I saw lots of that out on missions. Systematic torture. The same bruises day in and day out. And the sustained damage never quite heals.”

“And they’re all strategically placed of course.”

“The one on her right kidney is for sure.”

Gray nodded. “That’s where I think she was somebody’s punching bag for longer than a week. Given her condition, I suspect she’s been missing for several weeks.”

“Why? Why would somebody do that?”

Gray stopped to look at Eagle, shoving his hands into his pockets, his medicine bag packed up beside him. “You have to realize there is a good chance she’s been sexually molested. There could be damage on the inside too.”

Eagle leaned forward. “There was no bruising on her thighs or around the pubic area.”

“I know. I saw that. And maybe that’s a good thing. But people will rape as a punishment. As a power and dominance thing, not for the sexual pleasure of it. And they’re also quite likely to use an object for the same purpose.”

Inside his gut Eagle felt something tighten down. It was pure anger. “There was no blood,” he said slowly. In his mind, he searched back to when he’d first seen her. “There was no blood except from the fresh bullet wound and on her head. There was no dried blood anywhere else.”

“That doesn’t mean she didn’t go through a creek, and it washed off.” He nodded toward her. “However, I agree no bruising was there, and, given the colors on the rest of her body, I’ll surmise she wasn’t sexually assaulted.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Inside Eagle sighed with relief. It wasn’t a guarantee of course, but he trusted Gray’s skill. There wasn’t much he hadn’t seen in his life either.

“You do that. You might want to consider contacting Annie too.” Gray picked up his bag. “I’d say it’s been a fun time, but I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight, knowing she’s here. Call me if her condition changes.”

“I will.” Eagle hesitated a moment. “Thanks for coming.”

Gray lifted a hand. “Don’t make me regret that I didn’t drive her to the emergency room myself—or that I should’ve called the sheriff.”

“If you do,” Eagle said in all seriousness, “you just signed her death warrant.”

Gray shot him a hard look. “And likely your own.” He turned and walked out.

Eagle didn’t give a damn if he took a bullet. But, as he considered all the birds that needed his care, it made him contemplate what backup plans he should implement, just in case something did happen to him. It was an issue as he was the sole caregiver to so many. Several young men in town gave him a hand when he’d built the new pens. They continued to come out on an irregular basis to help out around the place, so Eagle had no idea how long until their next visit.

Eagle hadn’t worried about his death up until now. Realizing that a real threat was imminent, he needed to consider it. And fast.

*

Stefan rolled over in bed. When he opened his eyes, he could see blue sky all around him. He glanced down at his mattress. But there wasn’t one. Instead it was just a big fluffy cloud supporting him as he floated in the sky. Amazed and filled with wonder, he let himself drift, wondering who and what he owed for this experience. He traveled in the ethers a lot.