Page 46 of Only Girl Alive

“You need a doctor,” Collin insisted while Clyde said words that were unrepeatable.

“Not in town.” There was a health clinic nearby, but Eve didn’t want the record there. It was probably closed anyway. If emergency services were called, they would medivac her to who knew where. They were working a homicide case and there was no way she was leaving the area.

“The hospital is an hour’s drive away,” Collin said.

“Hospital. I need a record.” That probably didn’t make sense.

They helped her into the back seat. Clyde slid in beside her while Collin drove. She rested her head on his shoulder, allowing his warmth to seep into her skin. She didn’t think she’d ever been this cold.

“Bina has an extra van key so I locked it. They’re at the hotel.”

Eve thought he might be talking to her.

“Clyde, can you call them?” Collin asked a moment later.

Now she was confused and decided it would be easier if conversations took place without her. She examined what she could of her right arm that she could barely see even with moonlight shining in the window. The outline of round circles was visible below the sleeve of her blouse where bruises were forming. It didn’t seem real.

Clyde spoke into his phone with one hand, his other arm keeping her close to his chest.

“We’re taking Eve to the hospital; she’s been assaulted. She’s conscious but other than that, we’re unsure of her condition.” He hesitated and then answered, “With rocks, we’re assuming, but we haven’t gotten much out of her.”

“Rocks,” she whispered, finally managing to get the correct word past her lips. Clyde looked at her and she knew his anger was for who did this. It was terrifying. She lay her hand on his arm.

“I’ll be okay.” She didn’t hear much after that and dozed off.

Things happened quickly when they arrived at the hospital. She was placed in a wheelchair and rolled into a small cubicle. A nurse removed her clothes and put her in an unattractive gown. She was covered with a warm blanket. It felt wonderful against her freezing skin. There was a knock and the curtain was pulled aside. It was a uniformed officer.

“I need a statement,” he said.

The nurse turned to Eve.

“Let him in.” She’d rather have the interview without Clyde and Collin in the room. She couldn’t deal with their condemnation right now for not telling them about the run-in with her stepbrothers.

He introduced himself as Officer Gilbert. He was young, late twenties maybe. His short, perfectly cut chestnut hair screamed police officer. His deep brown eyes were kind and he smiled gently after introducing himself.

“I was dealing with a case around the corner and was asked to swing by and get your statement.”

Eve sensed Tamm at work but it could have been anyone from her team. Clyde would have notified Lieutenant Crosby immediately, so it could have been him. She’d been here ten minutes and usually getting an officer took a while. Law enforcement took police assault seriously.

Her head still pounded but some of the fog had cleared and she was able to give a statement and answer questions.

“You mind if I grab my camera and get some shots of your injuries?” he asked after he finished writing in his notebook.

“No problem,” she told him.

He left to get his camera.

Eve assessed her condition and took a moment to gain her bearings. She knew she looked terrible but there was no mirror. The nurse had cleaning supplies ready but waited for the officer’s return. She was familiar with assault procedures. He came back in and snapped his pictures. He assured her he would request a copy of her medical record to cite her injuries in the report. He also said a detective would most likely take over the case.

As soon as he walked out, the nurse went to work, carefully cleaning her wounds. A few minutes later the doctor entered and gave her a thorough examination. The worst injury was the cut on her forehead, which required two sutures. It was directly beneath the hairline and the doctor assured her it wouldn’t leave a noticeable scar. The blood from that cut had dripped into her eye and she was able to see clearly now that she was cleaned up. He still ordered a CAT scan. The bruises on her arms were mostly superficial. The one on her cheek only required a butterfly bandage. Her arms needed cleaning and there were a few scrapes. The back of her head had been cushioned by her thick hair. She was exceedingly fortunate.

Collin and Clyde entered after the nurse finished cleaning her wounds. They’d probably spoken to the doctor, but she didn’t ask. Clyde handed her a large cup of steaming coffee.

“I have no idea if you should drink it or not.” His mouth remained tight. Eve knew he was trying to stay calm for her benefit. The front of his white T-shirt was smeared with blood.

“Drink.” She took the cup, which warmed her freezing fingers, and immediately brought it to her lips.

She could only manage a partial smile and then her lips trembled. Everything that had happened swelled inside her then overflowed. She couldn’t hold back tears.

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