Forgotten Son

“Then this was done by a dog?”

“Yep.”

The paramedic moved and Caroline saw Eli’s arm. “Oh, my God. Can’t you do something?” she cried to the paramedic.

“We’re almost at the hospital, where a doctor will take care of it. I’ll wrap it in the meantime.”

Eli hadn’t looked at his arm and he knew he had to. Big, fearless Elijah Coltrane was afraid. But fear never had much of a hold on him for long. He turned his head and forced himself to look down at where the dog’s teeth had sunk into him, pulling flesh and muscle from the bone. He wasn’t sure how he was still using his hand.

He’d never been sick a day in his life. The cold and flu bugs always got Tuck, but never him. Pa used to say Eli was tough—even germs were afraid to live in him. But what if his arm was permanently injured now? And it was his right arm….

No. His arm was fine. It would heal in no time.

The paramedic bandaged him and he shifted his thoughts elsewhere. The other technician was attending to Caroline.

“How are her feet and hands?” he asked.

“Scraped, bruised and cut. No deep lacerations, so they should heal without a problem.”

That’s what he wanted to hear. She would be fine.

“Eli,” she said in a soft voice. “Are you upset with me?”

He knew what she was talking about—her refusal to let go of his arm. “No, Caroline. I just wasn’t thinking too clearly. I’ve waited a long time to put handcuffs on Amos Buford. I didn’t want to miss that, but I’m in no condition to put handcuffs on anyone.”

“They’ll get him.”

“I just hope the arrest goes smoothly.”

There was silence for a moment and he heard a whimpering sound.

He frowned. “Are you crying?”

“No. Yes,” she sniffled. “And I don’t know why. I’m out of that place and I should be happy but…”

“It’s an emotional reaction,” he said, the sound twisting his gut. “You’ve been through a lot. Soon we’ll be at the hospital and you’ll see your fiancé, your family, and you’ll feel better.”

“I don’t think so,” she mumbled. “I feel as if I’m never going to be the same again. Somehow I’m different.”

“Give it time.” But he felt the same way. For years he’d held on to Ginny’s love, her memory. That was enough.

Until now. Now…

He closed his eyes, forcing the feeling away, striving, struggling to see Ginny’s face. No matter how hard he tried it wasn’t there. Caroline’s was. That frightened him more than the damage to his arm. Caroline was seeping into his system and he didn’t like that. He didn’t want it. He barely knew her, but he was powerless to change whatever was happening.

He didn’t like that, either.

CHAPTER FOUR

WHEN THEY REACHED the hospital, things happened fast. Reporters and TV crews were everywhere, with the police trying to push them back. Attendants whisked Caroline away, and above the noise Eli heard her call out to him.

He didn’t respond. She needed her family now—not him. Stepping out of the ambulance, he saw an orderly with a wheelchair. His first response was to object. Then he glanced at all the people clamoring to get a statement from him. He sank into the chair without protest, wanting to get away from the crowd as quickly as possible. Reporters were shouting questions at him and flashbulbs were going off, but he ignored them.

The orderly quickly took him to a bed in the emergency room. Eli stood and lay down there, feeling totally spent.

“The doctor will be in here shortly,” the attendant said.

“Thanks,” Eli replied, and stared up at the fluorescent ceiling lights. Had the arrest been made? He hoped this wouldn’t take long because he had to get out of here and give the FBI a full report. They had to know everything he’d learned as soon as possible. Where in the hell was the doctor?

A doctor who barely looked old enough to be playing in Little League came into the room. Eli knew he had to be much older, or at least hoped he was.

“I’m Dr. Fisher, Mr. Coltrane. I’m going to look at your arm.”

“Sure. Stitch it up or whatever you have to do because I have to go. I have an investigation to finish.”

“Yes. I heard,” the doctor said, unwrapping his arm.

“It’s been in the news all week and the hospital is inundated with reporters. Everyone is very relieved Ms. Whitten was found alive.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” Eli watched as he examined his arm.

“How long is this going to take?”

The doctor made a grunting sound. “I’m not sure. I have to get a surgeon down here.”

“A surgeon! What the hell for?”

“Your arm needs special attention, Mr. Coltrane.”

“That’s why I’m here. Stitch the damn thing up so I can go.”

“It’s not just the skin that’s been damaged—muscles and nerves have been ripped apart and it will take a specialist to put it back together.”

That still didn’t deter Eli. “It can’t be that bad. See? I can move my hand.” He raised his arm—it was beginning to feel heavy—and moved his fingers.

“Look closely at your fingers,” the young doctor said patiently. “They’re starting to swell and so is your arm. With this type of injury, surgery needs to be done as soon as possible so you can maintain full mobility.”

“Are you saying if I don’t have the surgery, I’ll lose the function of my right hand?”

“Yes. That’s what I’m saying.”

There was silence as Eli battled with what he had to do and what he wanted to do.

“Surely you’re not thinking about not having the surgery?” The doctor was clearly shocked.

“How long will the operation take?” he asked instead of answering.

“The surgeon will be able to tell you that.”