Chapter 33
Thirty-Three
Black Rock Falls
The sun had dropped low in the sky by the time Jenna and Kane climbed from the truck outside the hospital.
They’d parked in a secure parking lot beside Raven’s vehicle.
It had been a long day for him, and hearing Kane’s stomach complain about the lack of food, she hoped that Raven had found something better than a candy bar to eat at the hospital.
They took the elevator to the secure floor, nodded to the security guard on duty, and scanned their cards at the reader beside the door.
Inside, they went to the desk, where one nurse was on duty, and were directed to Zoe’s room.
When Kane pushed open the door and Jenna stepped inside, she found it empty. “I wonder where they are?”
“I guess we go and ask at the desk, but the nurse could have told us Zoe wasn’t in her room.” He raised both eyebrows and headed back out into the hallway.
The nurse at the counter informed them that Zoe was still undergoing tests and would be back shortly.
She indicated to a waiting room along the hallway.
Jenna thanked her and led the way. Inside they found Raven staring at a hospital-supplied pack of sandwiches.
“You must be starving if you are going to eat those.”
“I’m considering it.” Raven dumped the sandwiches on the table and smiled at her.
“Zoe is banged up; she has three cracked ribs and a hairline fracture of the skull. Unfortunately, there was a delay getting an MRI. She’s having one now and should be back soon.
She is very traumatized, and I didn’t want to leave the building until she returned.
I need to discuss the results with her and then turn her care over to one of the specialists here, or maybe more than one of the specialists.
I believe her head trauma needs to be monitored for a time, and she has psychological problems that need to be addressed.
An eye specialist should take a look at her as well, although the blurred vision she’s been suffering today might be caused by the head injury, but after being hit so many times anything is possible.
” He sighed. “I called Rhett to explain the situation and as she was employed by the ranch at the time of her abduction, his employee insurance will cover her medical bills.”
“That’s good to know.” Kane frowned. “In your opinion, will she make a full recovery?”
“Physically, I’d say yes.” Raven rubbed the back of his neck.
“Mentally, I’m not sure. Her life is working on ranches.
It’s something she’s done since she left foster care.
She has no one to go home to and enjoys the seasonal work.
I believe she survived because she’s so fit and healthy, although I doubt that she’ll ever regain the memory of exactly what happened.
Sometimes our brains just shut down under extreme trauma.
It’s a trigger to prevent us reliving it repeatedly.
Often, it’s the better option, rather than suffering PTSD.
Rhett mentioned that when this is all over, if she has no bad memories of what happened and she wants to return to the ranch when she’s well, he will offer her a permanent position for as long as she wants to stay.
He also informed me that they have insurance that covers compensation for injury. ”
Jenna smiled. “I had a feeling he’d do something like that. He is a very caring man. I can see that what’s happened on his ranch is tearing him apart. I’m glad he has Julie to lean on, but then she’s lived through some very bad situations. I believe they’re good for each other.”
“Me too.” Kane stared at the sandwiches and Jenna squeezed his arm. He looked at her. “We could stop by Antlers for a prime rib and still be home in time to do the chores and feed the kids.” He looked at Raven. “You coming?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Raven rubbed his belly. “I’ve called Blackhawk. He’s going to feed my dogs.” He took the sandwiches and tossed them to Ben. “I’ve already spoken to the doctors here and security will cover the ward. I can drop by in the morning to check on Zoe.”
The sound of a bed being wheeled along the hallway caught Jenna’s attention.
“Ah, here she is now.” She looked at Raven.
“I’ll leave you to speak to the doctors and we’ll have a chat with her.
I want to explain about Her Broken Wings Foundation and tell her about Rhett’s offer.
Once she knows she has the support of all of us in the sheriff’s office, it might make her feel a little better. ”
She led the way out of the waiting room and followed the bed.
Once the nurses had left after making Zoe comfortable, Jenna went to the bedside and introduced herself and Kane.
“I want you to know that you’re not alone.
Here in Black Rock Falls, we take care of people.
I imagine you will be in the hospital for a time.
Hopefully by the time you’re ready to leave, we’ll have caught the person who did this to you, but if we haven’t, we have a safe house where you can stay.
It’s called Her Broken Wings Foundation.
We have self-contained apartments in a secure environment.
You will be able to stay there for as long as you wish, and when you feel comfortable to leave and it’s safe to do so, Rhett Lawson, who I gather you know owns Lawson’s Ridge, has offered you a permanent position for as long as you require.
His insurance will pick up your tab for medical expenses, and I believe you may receive compensation for your injuries. ”
“I know that Raven has spoken to you about what happened and you can’t remember.
” Kane sat in a chair beside the bed. “Some time ago I was hit by lightning and forgot I was married to Jenna, so I understand how confusing it is for you. Often memories caused by severe trauma never return and I honestly believe you shouldn’t push trying to remember.
As you’ve already mentioned you never saw the man’s face, he likely keeps himself covered for all his victims. For now, we just want you to get well. ”
“All his victims?” Zoe gripped the blanket and pulled it higher. “He’s done this before?”
Pushing down the need to reach out and give the poor girl a hug, Jenna nodded. “We believe so, yes. Thanks to your description of the cabin, we were able to locate it today. We’ve discovered evidence inside that points toward more than one victim.”
“I wish I could help you more, but I do remember his voice and what he said to me. He wants to punish women. He is a religious fanatic. He believes he is doing God’s work by beating women to death.
He won’t ever stop. You must find him.” Zoe’s eyes grew wide and she looked from one to the other. “Do you know who it might be?”
“Not yet.” Kane pushed up the brim of his hat. “We have the entire sheriff’s office and three FBI agents working on the case. We’ll find him and bring him to justice.”
“Am I safe here?” Zoe’s bottom lip trembled and, resembling a small child, she twisted her fingers in the sheet.
“He’s already tried to hunt me down. He wants to kill me.
If it hadn’t been for Cheryl and Tracy, I’d be dead.
You should have seen them. They were magnificent.
He shot up the house and they just stood with their guns drawn ready to fight.
” She looked at Jenna. “Tracy drove me to the hospital and waited with me until the doctors came. She’s lovely. ”
Jenna smiled. “They’re good people.”
“You’re very safe here.” Kane turned as the door opened and Raven, followed by two doctors, stepped inside.
“We can’t even get into this ward unless we scan our cards.
A security guard is outside at all times day and night.
One or two nurses will be on duty and you have a panic button.
He pointed to the red button beside her bed.
Press that, and all hell breaks loose. The ward goes into lockdown.
No one will get inside your room until we come and unlock it. ”
Jenna stood and went toward them. “Sheriff Alton and Deputy Kane, we’re investigating the attack on Zoe.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” The doctor looked at Zoe. “To discuss your injuries would you prefer that the sheriff and her deputy wait outside?”
“No, it would be better coming from you.” Zoe straightened in bed, her gaze intent on the doctors.
“Very well. As you know, you have a fractured skull but we discovered no hematoma inside the brain cavity.” The doctor moved closer to the bed.
“You have a concussion, and we believe the memory loss might be permanent. I would like to keep you here for a few days under observation. I believe it would be beneficial for you to receive pain relief. I’m sure the ribs alone are causing you pain and also the headache must be considerable.
I can only offer you Tylenol. We need to be very careful you don’t have a brain bleed.
One of the main things to consider after an injury like this is to avoid any overexertion.
So returning to work anytime soon is not something you should consider. ”
Jenna turned to Zoe. “I don’t want you to concern yourself about anything. You have support from an entire network of people whose only concern is your well-being. There is a place for you to stay when you leave and a job waiting for you, so please, just relax and get well.”
“Okay.” Zoe’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ve always been independent and believed I was strong enough to survive anything—but that man broke me. I’ve never been so scared.”
“You’re not broken.” Raven moved closer.
“You survived when many people would have given up. You fought back. No one can ever take that courage away from you. When you’re well, you’ll be able to decide about your future.
There’s no pressure but Rhett Lawson is a man of his word.
If you want a permanent job, he will give you that and a place to call home.
So take your time. If you need to talk, you’ll have a phone with contacts for everyone here by the end of the day. ”
“I don’t know how to thank you all.” Zoe stared at them.
“Okay, it’s time to allow my patient to rest.” The doctor gave them all meaningful stares. She rested her gaze on Jenna. “I’ll keep you updated on her progress.”
Jenna stood. “Thank you. I’ll see you soon, Zoe.
Father Derry watches over Her Broken Wings Foundation.
He’ll be dropping by tomorrow to chat with you.
I’ve asked him to bring clothes, toiletries, and a few treats with him.
If you need anything at all, call me.” She followed Kane and Raven from the room.
The doctor followed and she had a short discussion with Raven before leaving. Concerned, Jenna turned to Raven. “What was that all about?”
“They took a large number of X-rays, and apart from the current injuries, they discovered many old breaks that must have happened when she was a child.” Raven shook his head slowly.
“Zoe hasn’t mentioned why she was placed in foster care, or what might have happened during her time there, but the doctor believes past trauma of this magnitude would definitely be a factor into the reason she’s wiped out what happened to her in the cabin.
The fragments she does remember might not be reliable, as in cases like these the mind might drag old memories to the front.
What she told you about her abductor could have been the person who beat her as a child, and in fact, she’s completely forgotten everything about what really happened in the cabin. ”
“That complicates things a little.” Kane removed his Stetson and pushed his fingers through his dark hair before replacing it. “Oh well, they say life wasn’t meant to be easy.”