ItwasaroutinepolicepatrolthatspottedtheScout.OfficerChuckMonroe,sixteenmonthsontheforce,justoldenoughtohavehisownsoloradiocar,madeitahabittopatrolhispartoftheDistrictaftertakingtothestreet.Therewasn‘tmuchhecoulddoaboutthedealers-thatwasthejoboftheNarcoticsDivision-buthecouldshowtheflag,aphrasehe‘dlearnedintheMarineCorps.Twenty-five,newlymarried,youngenoughtobededicatedandangryatwhatwashappeninginhiscityandhisoldneighborhood,theofficernotedthattheScoutwasanunusualvehicleforthisarea.Hedecidedtocheckitout,recorditstagnumber,andthencametheheart-stoppingrealizationthatthecar‘sleftsidehadtakenatleasttwoshotgunblasts.OfficerMonroestoppedhiscar,flippedonhisrotatinglights,andmadethefirst,preliminarycallofpossibletrouble,pleasestandby.Hesteppedoutofthecar,switchinghispolicebatonintohislefthand,leavinghisrightatthegripofhisservicerevolver.Onlythendidheapproachthecar.Awell-trainedofficer,ChuckMonroemovedinslowlyandcarefully,hiseyesscanningeverythinginsight.
‘Oh,shit!‘Thereturntohisradiocarwasrapid.FirstMonroecalledforbackupandthenforanambulance,andthenhenotifiedhisDistrictdeskofthelicensenumberofthesubjectautomobile.Then,grabbinghisfirst-aidkit,hereturnedtotheScout.Thedoorwaslocked,butthewindowwasblownout,andhereachedinsidetounlockit.Whathesawthenfrozehiminhistracks.
Theheadrestedonthesteeringwheel,alongwiththelefthand,whiletherightrestedinhislap.Bloodhadsprayedallovertheinside.Themanwasstillbreathing,whichsurprisedtheofficer.Clearlyashotgunblast,ithadobliteratedthemetalandfiberglassoftheScout‘sbodyandhitthevictim‘shead,neck,andupperback.Therewereseveralsmallholesintheexposedskin,andthesewereoozingblood.ThewoundlookedashorribleasanyhehadseenonthestreetorintheMarineCorps,andyetthemanwasalive.ThatwassufficientlyamazingthatMonroedecidedtoleavehisfirst-aidkitclosed.Therewouldbeanambulancehereinminutes,andhedecidedthatanyactionhetookwasaslikelytomakethingsworseasbetter.Monroeheldthekitunderhisrighthandlikeabook,lookingatthevictimwiththefrustrationofamanofactiontowhomactionwasdenied.Atleastthepoorbastardwasunconscious.
Whowashe?Monroelookedattheslumpedformanddecidedthathecouldextricatethewallet.Theofficerswitchedthefirst-aidkittohislefthandandreachedinforthewalletpocketwithhisright.Unsurprisingly,itwasempty,buthistouchhadelicitedareaction.Thebodymovedalittle,andthatwasn‘tgood.Hemovedhishandtosteadyit,butthentheheadmoved,too,andheknewthattheheadhadbetterstaystill,andsohishandautomaticallyandwronglytouchedit.Somethingrubbedagainstsomethingelse,andacryofpainechoedacrossthedark,wetstreetbeforethebodywentslackagain.
‘Shit!‘Monroelookedatthebloodonhisfingertipsandunconsciouslyrubbeditoffonhisblueuniformtrousers.Justthenheheardthebanshee-wailofaFireDepartmentambulanceapproachingfromtheeast,andtheofficerwhisperedaquietprayerofthanksthatpeoplewhoknewwhattheyweredoingwouldshortlyrelievehimofthisproblem.
Theambulanceturnedthecornerafewsecondslater.Thelarge,boxy,red-and-whitevehiclehaltedjustpasttheradiocar,anditstwooccupantscameatoncetotheofficer.
‘Whatd‘wegot.‘Strangely,itdidn‘tcomeoutlikeaquestion.Theseniorfireman-paramedichardlyneededtoaskinanycase.Inthispartoftownatthistimeofnight,itwouldn‘tbeatrafficaccident.Itwouldbe‘penetratingtrauma‘inthedrylexiconofhisprofession.‘Jesus!‘
Theothercrewmanwasalreadymovingbacktotheambulancewhenanotherpolicecararrivedonthescene.
‘Whatgives?‘thewatchsupervisorasked.
‘Shotgun,closerange,andtheguy‘sstillalive!‘Monroereported.
‘Idon‘tliketheneckhits,‘thefirstambulanceguyobservedtersely.
‘Collar?‘theotherparamediccalledfromanequipmentbay.
‘Yeah,ifhemoveshisheaddamn.‘Theseniorfirefighterplacedhishandsonthevictim‘sheadtosecureitinplace.
‘ID?‘thesergeantasked.
‘Nowallet.Ihaven‘thadachancetolookaroundyet.‘
‘Didyourunthetags?‘
Monroenodded.‘Called‘emin;ittakesalittlewhile.‘
Thesergeantplayedhisflashlightontheinsideofthecartohelpthefiremen.Alotofblood,otherwiseempty.Somekindofcoolerinthebackseat.‘Whatelse?‘heaskedMonroe.
‘TheblockwasemptywhenIgothere.‘Monroecheckedhiswatch.‘Elevenminutesago.‘Bothofficersstoodbacktogivetheparamedicsroomtowork.
‘Youeverseenhimbefore?‘
‘No,Sarge.‘
‘Checkthesidewalks.‘
‘Right.‘Monroestartedquarteringtheareaaroundthecar.
‘Iwonderwhatthiswasallabout,‘thesergeantaskednobodyinparticular.Lookingatthebodyandalltheblood,hisnextthoughtwasthattheymightneverfindout.Somanycrimescommittedinthisareawereneverreallysolved.Thatwasnotsomethingpleasingtothesergeant.Helookedattheparamedics.‘Howishe,Mike?‘
‘Damnednearbledout,Bert.Definiteshotgun,‘themananswered,affixingthecervicalcollar.‘Abunchofpelletsintheneck,somenearthespine.Idon‘tlikethisatall.‘
‘Whereyoutakinghim?‘thepolicesergeantasked.‘University‘sfullup,‘thejuniorparamedicadvised.‘BusaccidentontheBeltway.WehavetotakehimtoHopkins.‘
‘That‘sanextratenminutes.‘Mikeswore.‘Youdrive,Phil,tellthemwehaveamajortraumaandweneedaneurosurgeonstandingby.‘
‘Yougotit.‘Bothmenliftedhimontothegurney.Thebodyreactedtothemovement,andthetwopoliceofficers-threemoreradiocarshadjustarrived-helpedholdhiminplacewhilethefirefightersappliedrestraints.
‘You‘rearealsickpuppy,myfriend,butwe‘llhaveyouinthehospitalrealquicknow,‘Philtoldthebody,whichmightormightnotstillbealiveenoughtohearthewords.‘Timetoroll,Mike.‘
Theyloadedthebodyinthebackoftheambulance.MikeEaton,theseniorparamedic,wasalreadysettingupanIVbottleofblood-expanders.Gettingtheintravenouslinewasdifficultwiththemanfacedown,buthemanageditjustastheambulancestartedmoving.Thesixteen-minutetriptoJohnsHopkinsHospitalwasoccupiedwithtakingvitalsigns-thebloodpressurewasperilouslylow-anddoingsomepreliminarypaperwork.
Whoareyou?Eatonaskedsilently.Goodphysicalshape,henoted,twenty-sixor-seven.Oddforaprobabledruguser.Theyguywouldhavelookedprettytoughstandingup,butnotnow.Nowhewasmorelikealarge,sleepingchild,mouthopen,drawingoxygenfromtheclearplasticmask,breathingshallowlyandtooslowlyforBaton‘scomfort.
‘Speeditup,‘hecalledtothedriver,PhilMarconi.
‘Roadsareprettywet,Mike,doingmybest.‘
‘Comeon,Phil,youwopsaresupposedtodrivecrazy!‘
‘Butwedon‘tdrinklikeyouguys,‘camethelaughingreply.‘Ijustcalledahead,theygotaneck-cutterstandingby.QuietnightatHopkins,they‘reallreadyforus.‘
‘Good,‘Eatonrespondedquietly.Helookedathisshootingvictim.Itoftengotlonelyandalittlespookyinthebackofanambulance,andthatmadehimgladfortheotherwisenerve-gratingwailoftheelectronicsiren.Blooddrippedoffthegurneydowntothefloorofthevehicle;thedropstraveledaroundonthemetalfloor,asthoughtheyhadalifeentirelyoftheirown.Itwassomethingyounevergotusedto.
‘Twominutes,‘Marconisaidoverhisshoulder.Eatonmovedtothebackofthecompartment,readytoopenthedoor.Presentlyhefelttheambulanceturn,stop,thenbackupquicklybeforestoppingagain.ThereardoorswereyankedopenbeforeEatoncouldreachforthem.
‘Yeow!‘theERresidentobserved.‘Okay,folks,we‘retakinghimintoThree.‘TwoburlyorderliespulledthegurneyoutwhileEatondisconnectedtheIVbottlefromtheoverheadhookandcarrieditbesidethemovingcart.
‘TroubleatUniversity?‘theresidentasked.
‘Busaccident,‘Marconireported,arrivingathisside.
‘Betteroffhereanyway.Jesus,whatdidhebackinto?‘Thedoctorbentdowntoinspectthewoundastheymoved.‘Mustbeahundredpelletsinthere!‘
‘Waittillyouseetheneck,‘Eatontoldhim.
‘Shit‘theresidentbreathed.
Theywheeledhimintothecapaciousemergencyroom,selectingacubicleinthecorner.Thefivemenmovedthevictimfromthegurneytoatreatmenttable,andthemedicalteamwenttowork.Anotherphysicianwasstandingby,alongwithapairofnurses.
Theresident,CliffSevern,reachedarounddelicatelytoremovethecervicalcollaraftermakingsuretheheadwassecuredbysandbags.Ittookonlyonelook.
‘Possiblespine,‘heannouncedatonce.‘Butfirstwehavetoreplacebloodvolume.‘Herattledoffaseriesoforders.WhilethenursesgottwomoreIVsstarted,Severntookthepatient‘sshoesoffandranasharpmetalinstrumentacrossthesoleofhisleftfoot.Thefootmoved.Okay,therewasnoimmediatenervedamage.Goodnews.Afewmoresticksonthelegsalsogotreactions.Remarkable.Whilethatwashappening,anursetookbloodfortheusualbatteryoftests.Severnscarcelyhadtolookashiswell-trainedcrewdidtheirseparatejobs.Whatappearedtobeaflurryofactivitywasmorelikethemovementofafootballbackfield,theendproductofmonthsofdiligentpractice.
‘Wherethehell‘sneuro?‘Severnaskedtheceiling.
‘Righthere!‘avoiceanswered.
Severnlookedup.‘Oh-ProfessorRosen.‘
Thegreetingstoppedthere.SamRosenwasnotinagoodmood,astheresidentsawatonce.Ithadbeenatwenty-hourdayfortheprofessoralready.Whatoughttohavebeenasix-hourprocedurehadonlybegunamarathonefforttosavethelifeofanelderlywomanwho‘dfallendownaflightofstairs,aneffortthathadendedunsuccessfullylessthananhourbefore.Heoughttohavesavedher,Samwastellinghimself,stillnotsurewhathadgonewrong.Hewasgratefulratherthanangryaboutthisextensiontoahellishday.Maybehecouldwinthisone.
‘Tellmewhatwehave,‘theprofessororderedcurtly.
‘Shotgunwound,severalpelletsveryclosetothecord,sir.‘
‘Okay.‘Rosenbentdown,hishandsbehindhisback.‘What‘swiththeglass?‘
‘Hewasinacar,‘Eatoncalledfromtheothersideofthecubicle.
‘Weneedtogetridofthat,needtoshavethehead,too,‘Rosensaid,surveyingthedamage.‘What‘shispressure?‘
‘BPfiftyoverthirty,‘anurse-practitionerreported.‘Pulseisone-fortyandthready.‘
‘We‘regoingtobebusy,‘Rosenobserved.‘Thisguyisveryshocky.Hmm.‘Hepaused.‘Overallconditionofthepatientlooksgood,goodmuscletone.Let‘sgetthatbloodvolumebackup.‘Rosensawtwounitsbeingstartedevenashespoke.TheERnurseswereespeciallygoodandhenoddedapprovalatthem.
‘How‘syoursondoing,Margaret?‘heaskedtheseniorone.
‘StartingatCarnegieinSeptember,‘sheanswered,adjustingthedrip-rateonthebloodbottle.
‘Let‘sgettheneckcleanedoffnext,Margaret.Ineedtotakealook.‘
‘Yes,doctor.‘
Thenurseselectedapairofforceps,grabbedalargecottonball,whichshedippedindistilledwater,thenwipedacrossthepatient‘sneckwithcare,clearingawaythebloodandexposingtheactualwounds.Itlookedworsethanitmightreallybe,shesawatonce.Whilesheswabbedthepatientoff,Rosenlookedforandgotsterilegarb.Bythetimehegotbacktothebedside,MargaretWilsonhadasterilekitinplaceanduncovered.EatonandMarconistayedinthecorner,watchingitall.
‘Nicejob,Margaret,‘Rosensaid,puttinghisglasseson.‘What‘shegoingtomajorin?‘
‘Engineering.‘
&"That‘sgood.‘Rosenheldhishandup.‘Tweezers.‘NurseWilsonsetapairinhishand.‘Alwaysroomforabrightyoungengineer.‘
Rosenpickedasmall,roundholeonthepatient‘sshoulder,wellawayfromanythingreallyvital.Withadelicacythathislargehandsmadealmostcomicaltowatch,heprobedforandretrievedasingleleadballwhichhehelduptothelight.‘Numbersevenshot,Ibelieve.Somebodymistookthisguyforapigeon.That‘sgoodnews,‘hetoldtheparamedics.Nowthatheknewtheshotsizeandprobablepenetration,hebentdownlowovertheneck.‘Hmmwhat‘stheBPnow?‘
‘Checking,‘anothernursesaidfromthefarsideofthetable.‘Fifty-fiveoverforty.Comingup.‘
‘Thankyou,‘Rosensaid,stillbentoverthepatient.‘WhostartedthefirstIV?‘
‘Idid,‘Eatonreplied.
‘Goodwork,fireman.‘Rosenlookedupandwinked.‘SometimesIthinkyoupeoplesavemorelivesthanwedo.Yousavedthisone,that‘sfordamnedsure.‘
‘Thankyou,doctor.‘Eatondidn‘tknowRosenwell,buthemadeanotethattheman‘sreputationwasdeserved.Itwasn‘teverydaythatafireman-paramedicgotthatsortofpraisefromafullprofessor.‘How‘shegoingto-Imean,theneckinjury?‘
Rosenwasdownagain,examiningit.‘Responses,doctor?‘heaskedtheseniorresident.
‘Positive.GoodBabinsky.Nogrossindicationsofperipheralimpairment,‘Severnreplied.Thiswaslikeanexam,whichalwaysmadetheyoungresidentnervous.
‘Thismaynotbeasbadasitlooks,butwe‘regoingtohavetocleanitupinahurrybeforethesepelletsmigrate.Twohours?‘heaskedSevern.RosenknewtheERresidentwasbetterontraumathanhewas.
‘Maybethree.‘
‘I‘llgetanapoutofitanyway,‘Rosencheckedhiswatch.‘I‘lltakehimat,oh,six.‘
‘Yonwanttohandlethisonepersonally?‘
‘Whynot?I‘mhere.Thisoneisstraightforward,justtakesalittletouch.‘Rosenfiguredhewasentitledtoaneasycase,maybeonceamonth.Asafullprofessor,hedrewalotofthehardones.
‘Finewithme,sir.‘
‘DowehaveanIDonthepatient?‘
‘No,sir,‘Marconireplied.&"Thepoliceoughttobehereinafew.‘
‘Good.‘Rosenstoodandstretched.‘Youknow,Margaret,peoplelikeusshouldn‘tworkthesekindofhours.‘
‘Ineedtheshift-differential,‘NurseWilsonreplied.Besideswhich,shewasthenursing-teamleaderforthisshift.‘What‘sthis,Iwonder?‘shesaidafteramoment.
‘Hmph?‘Rosenwalkedaroundtohersideofthetablewhiletherestoftheteamdiditswork.
‘Atattooonhisarm,‘shereported.NurseWilsonwassurprisedbythereactionitdrewfromProfessorRosen.
ThetransitionfromsleeptowakefulnesswasusuallyeasyforKelly,butnotthistime.Hisfirstcoherentthoughtwastobesurprised,buthedidn‘tknowwhy.Nextcamepain,butnotsomuchpainasthedistantwarningthattherewouldbepain,andlotsofit.Whenherealizedthathecouldopenhiseyes,hedid,onlytofindhimselfstaringatagraylinoleumfloor.Afewscattereddropsofliquidreflectedthebrightoverheadfluorescents.Hefeltneedlesinhiseyes,andonlythendidherealizethattherealstabswereinhisarms.
I‘malive.
Whydoesthatsurpriseme?
Hecouldhearthesoundofpeoplemovingaround,mutedconversations,distantchimes.Thesoundofrushingairwasexplainedbyair-conditioningvents,oneofwhichhadtobenearby,sincehecouldfeelthemovingchillontheskinofhisback.Somethingtoldhimthatheoughttomove,thatbeingstillmadehimvulnerable,butevenafterhemanagedacommandtohislimbstodosomething,nothinghappened.That‘swhenthepainannounceditspresence.Liketherippleonapondfromthefallofaninsect,itstartedsomewhereonhisshoulderandexpanded.Ittookamomenttoclassify.Thenearestapproximationwasabadsunburn,becauseeverythingfromtheleftsideofhisneckondowntohisleftelbowfeltscorched.Heknewhewasforgettingsomething,probablysomethingimportant.
WherethefuckamI?
Kellythoughthefeltthedistantvibrationof-what?Ship‘sengines?No,thatwasn‘trightsomehow,andafterafewmoresecondsherealizeditwasthefarawaysoundofacitybuspullingawayfromastop.Notaship.Acity.WhyamIinacity?
Ashadowcrossedhisface.Heopenedhiseyestoseethebottomhalfofafiguredressedalloverinlight-greencotton.Thehandsheldaclipboardofsomesort.Kellycouldn‘tevenfocushiseyeswellenoughtotellifthefigurewasmaleorfemalebeforeitwentaway,anditdidn‘toccurtohimtosayanythingbeforehedriftedbacktosleep.
‘Theshoulderwoundwasextensivebutsuperficial,‘Rosentoldtheneurosurgicalresident,thirtyfeetaway.
‘Bloodyenough.Fourunits‘,shenoted.‘Shotgunwoundsarelikethat.Therewasonlyonerealthreattothespine.Tookmealittlewhiletofigurehowtoremoveitwithoutendangeringanything.‘
‘Twohundredthirty-sevenpellets,but‘-sheheldtheXrayuptothelight—‘lookslikeyougotthemall.Thisfellowjustgotanicecollectionoffreckles,though.‘
‘Tooklongenough,‘Samsaidtiredly,knowingthatheoughttohaveletsomeoneelsehandleit,buthe‘dvolunteered,afterall.
‘Youknowthispatient,don‘tyou?‘SandyO‘Toolesaid,arrivingfromtherecoveryroom.
‘Yeah.‘
‘He‘scomingout,butit‘llbeawhile.‘Shehandedoverthechartwhichshowedhiscurrentvitals.‘Lookinggood,doctor.‘
ProfessorRosennoddedandexplainedfurthertotheresident,‘Greatphysicalshape.ThefiremendidanicejobholdinguphisBP.Hedidalmostbleedout,butthewoundslookedworsethantheyreallywere.Sandy?‘WwW.XiaoShuo530.com
Sheturnedback.‘Yes,doctor?‘
‘Thisoneisafriendofmine.WouldyoumindterriblyifIaskedyoutotake-‘
‘Aspecialinterest?‘
‘You‘reourbest,Sandy.‘
‘AnythingIneedtoknow?‘sheasked,appreciatingthecompliment.
‘He‘sagoodman.Sandy.‘Samsaiditinawaythatcarriedrealmeaning.‘Sarahlikeshim,too.‘
‘Thenhemustbeallright.‘Sheheadedbackintorecovery,wonderingiftheprofessorwasplayingmatchmakeragain.
‘WhatdoItellthepolice?‘
‘Fourhours,minimum.Iwanttobethere.‘Rosenlookedoveratthecoffeepotanddecidedagainstit.Anymoreandhisstomachmightrupturefromalltheacid.
‘Sowhoishe?‘
‘Idon‘tknowallthatmuch,butIranintotroubleontheBayinmyboatandhehelpedmeout.Weendedupstayingathisplacefortheweekend.‘Samdidn‘tgoanyfurther.Hedidn‘treallyknowthatmuch,buthehadinferredalot,andthatscaredhimverymuchindeed.He‘ddonehispart.Whilehehadn‘tsavedKelly‘slife-luckandthefiremenhadprobablydonethat-hehadperformedanexceedinglyskillfulprocedure,thoughhehadalsoannoyedtheresident,DrAnnPretlow,bynotallowinghertodomuchofanythingexceptwatch.‘Ineedalittlesleep.Idon‘thavemuchscheduledfortoday.Canyoudothefollow-uponMrsBaker?‘
‘Certainly.‘
‘Havesomeonewakemeupinthreehours,‘Rosensaidonthewaytohisoffice,whereanicecomfortablecouchawaited.
‘Nicetan,‘Billyobservedwithasmirk.‘Iwonderwhereshegotit.‘Therewasgeneralamusement.‘Whatdowedowithher?‘
Hethoughtaboutthat.He‘djustdiscoveredafinewaytodealwithbodies,muchcleaner,initsway,andfarsaferthanwhatthey‘dbeendoing.Butitalsoinvolvedalengthyboattrip,andhejustdidn‘thavethetimetobebothered.Healsodidn‘twanttohaveanyoneelseusethatparticularmethod.Itwastoogoodtosharewithanyone.Heknewthatoneofthemwouldtalk.Thatwasoneofhisproblems.
‘Findaspot,‘hesaidafteramoment‘sconsideration.‘Ifshe‘sfound,itdoesn‘tmattermuch.‘Thenhelookedaroundtheroom,catalogingtheexpressionshesaw.Thelessonhadbeenlearned.Nobodyelsewouldtrythisagain,notanytimesoon.Hedidn‘tevenhavetosayanything.
‘Tonight?Betteratnight.‘
‘That‘sfine.Nohurry.‘Everyoneelsecouldlearnevenmorefromlookingatherfortherestoftheday,lyingthereinthemiddleofthefloor.Hetookonlyalittlepleasurefromit,andpeoplehadtolearntheirlessons,andevenwhenitwastoolateforoneofthem,otherscouldlearnfromthatone‘smistakes.Especiallywhenthelessonswereclearandhard.Eventhedrugswouldn‘tblockthisoneout.
‘Whatabouttheguy?‘heaskedBilly.
Billysmirkedagain.Itwashisfavoriteexpression.‘Blewhimaway.Bothbarrels,tenfeet.Wewon‘tbeseeinghimnomore.‘
‘Okay.‘Heleft.Therewasworktobedoneandmoneytocollect.Thislittleproblemwasbehindhim.Itwasapity,hethoughtonthewaytohiscar,thattheycouldn‘tallbesolvedthiseasily.
Thebodyremainedinplace.Dorisandtheotherssatinthesameroom,unabletolookawayfromwhathadoncebeenafriend,learningtheirlessonasHenrywished.
Kellyvaguelynotedthathewasbeingmoved.Thefloormovedunderhim.Hewatchedthelinesbetweenthefloortilestravellikemoviecreditsuntiltheybackedhimintoanotherroom,asmallone.Thistimehetriedtoraisehishead,andindeeditmovedafewinches,enoughtoseethelegsofawoman.Thegreensurgicalslacksendedaboveherankles,andtheyweredefinitelyawoman‘s.Therewasawhirringsound,andhishorizonmoveddownwards.Afteramomentherealizedthathewasonapoweredbed,hangingbetweentwohoopsofstainlesssteel.Hisbodywasattachedtothebedsomehow,andastheplatformrotatedhecouldfeelthepressureoftherestraintsthatheldhiminplace,notuncomfortable,butthere.Presentlyhesawawoman.Hisage,perhapsayearortwoyounger,withbrownhairstuffedunderagreencapandlighteyesthatsparkledinafriendlyway.
‘Hello,‘shesaidfrombehindhermask.‘I‘myournurse.‘
‘WhereamI?‘Kellyaskedinaraspyvoice.
‘JohnsHopkinsHospital.‘
‘What-‘
‘Somebodyshotyou.‘Shereachedouttotouchhishand.
Thesoftnessofherhandignitedsomethinginhisdrug-suppressedconsciousness.Foraminuteorso,Kellycouldn‘tfigureoutwhatitwas.Likeacloudofsmoke,itshiftedandrevolved,formingapicturebeforehiseyes.Themissingpiecesbegantocometogether,andeventhoughheunderstooditwashorrorthatawaitedhim,hismindstruggledtohurrythemalong.Intheenditwasthenursewhodiditforhim.
SandyO‘Toolehadlefthermaskonforareason.Anattractivewoman,likemanynursesshefeltthatmalepatientsrespondedwelltotheideaofsomeonelikehertakingapersonalinterestinthem.NowthatPatientKelly,John,wasmoreorlessalert,shereachedupanduntiedthemasktogivehimherbeamingfemininesmile,thefirstgoodthingofthedayforhim.MenlikedSandraO‘Toole,fromhertall,athleticframetothegapbetweenherfrontteeth.Shehadnoideawhytheyconsideredthegapsexy-foodgotcaughtthere,afterall-butaslongasitworked,itwasonemoretoolforherbusinessofhelpingtomakesickpeoplewell.Andsoshesmiledathim,justforbusiness.Theresultwaslikenoothershehadencountered.
Herpatientwentghostlypale,notthewhiteofsnoworfreshlinen,butthemottled,sicklylookandtextureofStyrofoam.Herfirstthoughtwasthatsomethinghadgonegravelywrong,amassiveinternalbleed,perhaps,orevenaclot-driventhrombosis.Hemighthavescreamed,butcouldn‘tcatchhisbreath,andhishandsfelllimp.Hiseyesneverlefther,andafteramomentO‘Toolerealizedthatshehadsomehowcausedwhateveritwas.O‘Toole‘sfirstinstinctwastotakehishandandsaythateverythingwasallright,butsheknewinstantlythatitwasn‘ttrue.
‘Oh,Godoh,GodPam.‘Thelookonwhatoughttohavebeenaruggedlyhandsomefacewasoneofblackdespair.
‘Shewaswithme,‘KellytoldRosenafewminuteslater.‘Doyouknowanything,doc?‘
‘Thepolicewillbehereinafewminutes,John,but,no,Idon‘tknowanything.Maybetheytookhertoanotherhospital.‘Hetriedtohope.ButSamknewthatitwasalie,andhehatedhimselfforlying.HemadeashowoftakingKelly‘svitalsigns,somethingSandycouldhavedonejustaswell,beforeexamininghispatient‘sback.‘You‘regoingtobeokay.How‘stheshoulder?‘
‘Notrealgreat,Sam,‘Kellyreplied,stillgroggy.‘Howbad?‘
‘Shotgun-youtookquiteabit,but-wasthewindowonthecarrolledup?‘
‘Yeah,‘Kellysaid,rememberingtherain.
‘That‘soneofthethingsthatsavedyou.Theshouldermusclesareprettybeatenup,andyoudamnednearbledtodeath,buttherewon‘tbeanypermanentdamageexceptforsomescarring.Ididthejobmyself.‘
Kellylookedup.‘Thanks,Sam.Painisn‘tsobadworsethelasttimeI-‘
‘Quietdown,John,‘Rosenorderedgently,givingtheneckacloselook.HemadeamentalnotetoorderacompletenewsetofXraysjusttomakesuretherewasn‘tsomethinghehadmissed,maybeclosetothespine.‘Thepainmedicationwillkickinprettyfast.Savetheheroics.Wedon‘tawardpointsforthathere.‘Kay?‘
‘Ayeaye.Please-checktheotherhospitalsforPam,okay?‘Kellyasked,hopeyetinhisvoicethoughheknewbetter,too.
TwouniformedofficershadbeenwaitingthewholetimeforKellytocomeoutfromunder.Rosenbroughtintheolderofthetwoafewminuteslater.Thequestioningwasbrief,ondoctor‘sorders.Afterconfirminghisidentity,theyaskedaboutPam;theyalreadyhadaphysicaldescriptionfromRosen,butnotasurname,whichKellyhadtoprovide.TheofficersmadenoteofhisappointmentwithLieutenantAllenandleftafterafewminutesasthevictimstartedtofadeout.Theshockoftheshootingandsurgery,addedtothepainmedications,woulddiminishthevalueofwhathesaidanyway,Rosenpointedout.
‘Sowho‘sthegirl?‘theseniorofficerasked.
‘Ididn‘tevenknowherlastnameuntilacoupleminutesago,‘Rosensaid,seatedinhisoffice.Hewasdopeyfromlackofsleep,andhiscommentarysufferedaswell.‘Shewasaddictedtobarbiturateswhenwemetthem-sheandKellywerelivingtogether,Isuppose.Wehelpedhercleanup.‘
‘Who‘s&"we&"?‘
‘Mywife,Sarah.She‘sapharmacologisthere.Youcantalktoherifyouwant.‘
‘Wewill,‘theofficerassuredhim.‘WhataboutMrKelly?‘
‘Ex-Navy,Vietnamvet.‘
‘Doyouhaveanyreasontobelievethathe‘sadruguser,sir?‘
‘Notachance,‘Rosenanswered,aslightedgeonhisvoice.‘Hisphysicalconditionistoogoodforthat,andIsawhisreactionwhenwefoundoutthatPamwasusingpills.Ihadtocalmhimdown.Definitelynotanaddict.I‘maphysician,Iwouldhavenoticed.‘
Thepolicemanwasnotoverlyimpressed,butaccepteditatfacevalue.Thedetectiveswouldhavealotoffunwiththisone,hethought.Whathadappearedtobeasimplerobberywasnowatleastakidnappingaswell.Wonderfulnews.‘Sowhatwashedoinginthatpartoftown?‘
‘Idon‘tknow,‘Samadmitted.‘Who‘sthisLieutenantAllen?‘
‘Homicide,WesternDistrict,‘thecopexplained.
‘Iwonderwhytheyhadanappointment.‘
‘That‘ssomethingwe‘llgetfromtheLieutenant,sir.‘
‘Wasthisarobbery?‘
‘Probably.Itsurelooksthatway.Wefoundhiswalletablockaway,nocash,nocreditcards,justhisdriver‘slicense.Healsohadahandguninhiscar.Whoeverrobbedhimmusthavemissedthat.That‘sagainstthelaw,bytheway,‘thecopnoted.Anotherofficercamein.
‘Icheckedthenameagain-1knewIhearditbefore.HedidajobforAllen.Rememberlastyear,theGoodingcase?‘
Theseniormanlookedupfromhisnotes.‘Oh,yeah!He‘stheguywhofoundthegun?‘
‘Right,andheendeduptrainingourdivers.‘
‘Itstilldoesn‘texplainwhatthehellhewasdoingoverthere,‘thecoppointedout.
‘True,‘hispartneradmitted.‘Butitmakesithardtobelievehe‘saplayer.‘
Theseniorofficershookhishead.‘Therewasagirlwithhim.She‘smissing.‘
‘Kidnapping,too?Whatdowehaveonher?‘
‘Justaname.PamelaMadden.Twenty,recoveringdoper,missing.WehaveMrKelly,hiscar,hisgun,andthat‘sit.Noshellsfromtheshotgun.Nowitnessesatall.Amissinggirl,probably,butadescriptionthatcouldfittenthousandlocalgirls.Robbery-kidnapping.‘Allinall,notthatatypicalacase.Theyoftenstartedoffknowingdamnedlittle.Inanycase,thetwouniformedofficershadmainlydeterminedthatthedetectiveswouldtakethisoneoveralmostimmediately.
‘Shewasn‘tfromaroundhere.Shehadanaccent,Texas,somewhereoutthere.‘
‘Whatelse?‘theseniorofficerasked.‘Comeon,doc,anythingyouknow,okay?‘
Samgrimaced.‘Shehadbeenthevictimofsexualabuse.Shemighthavebeenahooker.Mywifesaid-hell,Isawit,evidenceofscarsonherback.She‘dbeenwhipped,somepermanentscarringfromwelts,thatsortofthing.Wedidn‘tpress,butshemighthavebeenaprostitute.‘
‘MrKellyhasstrangehabitsandacquaintances,doesn‘the?‘theofficerobservedwhilemakingnotes.
‘Fromwhatyoujustsaid,hehelpscops,too,doesn‘the?‘ProfessorRosenwasgettingangry.‘Anythingelse?Ihaveroundstomake.‘
‘Doctor,whatwehavehereisadefiniteattemptedmurder,probablyaspartofarobbery,andmaybeakidnappingalso.Thoseareseriouscrimes.Ihaveprocedurestofollow,justlikeyoudo.WhenwillKellybeupforarealinterview?‘
‘Tomorrow,probably,buthe‘sgoingtobeveryrockyforacoupleofdays.‘
‘Isteninthemorningokay,sir?‘
‘Yes.‘
Thecopsrose.‘Somebodywillbebackthen,sir.‘
Rosenwatchedthemleave.This,strangelyenough,hadbeenhisfirstrealexperiencewithamajorcriminalinvestigation.Hisworkmoreoftendealtwithtrafficandindustrialaccidents.HefoundhimselfunabletobelievethatKellycouldbeacriminal,yetthathadseemedtobethethrustoftheirquestions,wasn‘tit?That‘swhenDrPretlowcamein.
‘WefinishedthebloodworkonKelly,‘Shehandedthedataover.‘Gonorrhea.Heshouldbemorecareful.Irecommendpenicillin.Anyknownallergies?‘
‘No.‘Rosenclosedhiseyesandswore.Whatthehellelsewouldhappentoday?
‘Notthatbigadeal,sir.Itlookslikeaveryearlycase.Whenhe‘sfeelingbetterI‘llhaveSocialServicestalktohimabout-‘
‘No,youwon‘t,‘Rosensaidinalowgrowl.
‘But-‘
‘Butthegirlhegotitfromisprobablydead,andwewillnotforcehimtorememberherthatway.‘ItwasthefirsttimeSamhadadmittedtheprobablefactstohimself,andthatmadeitalltheworse,declaringherdead.Hehadlittletobaseiton,buthisinstinctstoldhimitmustbeso.
‘Doctor,thelawrequires-‘
Itwasjusttoomuch.Rosenwasonthepointofexploding.‘That‘sagoodmaninthere.Iwatchedhimfallinlovewithagirlwho‘sprobablybeenmurdered,andhislastmemoryofherwillnotbethatshegavehimvenerealdisease.Isthatclear,doctor?Asfarasthepatientisconcerned,themedicationisforapost-opinfection.Markthechartaccordingly.‘
‘No,doctor,Iwillnotdothat.‘
ProfessorRosenmadethepropernotations.‘Done.‘Helookedup.‘DoctorPretlow,youhavethemakingsofanexcellenttechnicalsurgeon.Trytorememberthatthepatientsuponwhomweperformourproceduresarehumanbeings,withfeelings,willyou?Ifyoudoso,Ithinkyouwillfindthatthejobissomewhateasierinthelongrun.Itwillalsomakeyouamuchbetterphysician.‘
Andwhatwashesoworkedupabout?Pretlowaskedherselfonthewayout.</div> 有的人死了，但没有完全死……
无尽的昏迷过后，时宇猛地从床上起身。想要看最新章节内容，请下载爱阅小说app，无广告免费阅读最新章节内容。网站已经不更新最新章节内容，已经爱阅小说APP更新最新章节内容。
他大口的呼吸起新鲜的空气，胸口一颤一颤。
迷茫、不解，各种情绪涌上心头。
这是哪？
随后，时宇下意识观察四周，然后更茫然了。
一个单人宿舍？
就算他成功得到救援，现在也应该在病房才对。
还有自己的身体……怎么会一点伤也没有。
带着疑惑，时宇的视线快速从房间扫过，最终目光停留在了床头的一面镜子上。
镜子照出他现在的模样，大约十七八岁的年龄，外貌很帅。
可问题是，这不是他！下载爱阅小说app，阅读最新章节内容无广告免费
之前的自己，是一位二十多岁气宇不凡的帅气青年，工作有段时间了。
而现在，这相貌怎么看都只是高中生的年纪……
这个变化，让时宇发愣很久。
千万别告诉他，手术很成功……
身体、面貌都变了，这根本不是手术不手术的问题了，而是仙术。
他竟完全变成了另外一个人！
难道……是自己穿越了？
除了床头那摆放位置明显风水不好的镜子，时宇还在旁边发现了三本书。
时宇拿起一看，书名瞬间让他沉默。
《新手饲养员必备育兽手册》
《宠兽产后的护理》
《异种族兽耳娘评鉴指南》
时宇：？？？
前两本书的名字还算正常，最后一本你是怎么回事？
“咳。”
时宇目光一肃，伸出手来，不过很快手臂一僵。
就在他想翻开第三本书，看看这究竟是个什么东西时，他的大脑猛地一阵刺痛，大量的记忆如潮水般涌现。
冰原市。
宠兽饲养基地。
实习宠兽饲养员。网站即将关闭，下载爱阅app为您提供大神璇玑的璇玑之心刃·冷血悍将
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