Broken Read Online Free PDF Page A

paramedics found Neely behind the service counter still clutching the phone. She lay in a pool of blood. The paramedics started dual I.V.'s and transported her as fast as possible to the hospital, radioing ahead that both a general surgeon and a gynecologist would be needed.
    "One tough babe," the officer noted looking at the bloody trail where Neely had forced herself to move.
    Once in the emergency room, there was no question this woman jumped to the top of the triage. The ER doctor barked orders. "Get a type and cross-match and get the blood to the O.R.!"
    The surgeon that had been called ran her through a CT-scan and reviewed the results in real time. Because it was obvious she had been raped, the gynecologist who rushed in gathered a basic rape kit. She growled, "Although with the loss of blood from the vagina, any evidence is probably already degraded. Bastard."
    The surgeon read the CT scan. "Obvious injuries: broken jaw; bruised larynx; six broken ribs; ruptured spleen." He cut his eyes to the gynecologist.
    The woman shook her head. "Don't want to think the worst. Let's get her to surgery." They shipped Neely Rivers to surgery. There was no time to waste.
     

    Neely slowly opened her eyes. A strange face greeted her, but the voice was kind. "Don't be afraid, Miss Rivers. I'm FBI Agent Steve Journey. You're in the hospital. You've been in surgery. Let me get your doctor."
    A short time passed before another man entered. "I'm Doctor Henri. How are you feeling?"
    Did he really ask that? Oh, just dandy . Her eyes drooped and she forced them open. Aloud she said, "How bad?" Her voice sounded raspy and her throat hurt, but her mid-section hurt worse. She could hardly breathe.
    "You have six broken ribs, your larynx is bruised, you have a concussion, your jaw is broken and wired together, so you'll be all liquid diet for a while."
    "Uh-huh," she grunted sensing he was hem-hawing. "They raped me. What else?" She had to swallow back the bile rising in her throat.
    "They used a long shard of glass. There was severe damage to your cervix."
    "Define severe."
    Henri released a compunctious sigh. "Bad enough that it is no longer competent to stay intact during pregnancy. We can do a procedure called cerclage if and when you want to try to have a child, but the damage is so extensive that the likelihood of ever being able to carry a child to term is very low. Actually…"
    "I can't have children?"
    "Most likely not without a miracle. You see, there was also a small perforation to the uterus. We did repair it, just to give you a chance."
    She squeezed her eyes to hold back tears. Too much at one time, doc. Maybe your delivery will get better with age. Let's hope.
    The doctor cleared his throat. "Your vaginal wall also has numerous lacerations. Scarring might cause you to experience pain during sex."
    "Sex? Who'd want me? I might never want to again."
    "I'll have the counselor meet with you later today. I hate to ask, but an FBI agent is still waiting."
    "Send him in. I want these bastards caught."
    "One more question. Is there anyone we can call for you?"
    "Colleen DuPin. Lives next door. Voodoo You Do."
    "Okay. I'll have someone call her."
     

     
    Neely opened her eyes and could make out sun shining through the drawn blinds. I thought I heard Colleen's voice.
    "Hello," said the voice from much earlier.
    She groaned.
    The agent placed a device in her hand. "Doc said push the button for pain meds."
    "Was Colleen here?" She pressed the dispenser.
    "Older, black lady?"
    "Mmm."
    "Yes, for a long time. I sent her home."
    "K. If you waited so long, this must be really bad."
    "You're the thirteenth victim of such an attack. The other twelve women are dead. I suppose you're lucky."
    "Don't feel too lucky," Neely squeaked through wired-together teeth.
    "I'm sure you don't, but you're alive. Can you tell me anything about who attacked you?"
    "Five skin-heads." She drifted off and started awake again. Journey had retaken his seat, but jumped