Shadows of Death by Jodie Seibert

Author:Jodie Seibert [Seibert, Jodie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781947104006
Publisher: Criss Cross Press
Published: 2019-06-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

For all that I had wanted to avoid the hospital this morning, I ended up there anyway that night. I was now in Springton Memorial Hospital. I had hoped to never be here ever again. It had been too much to hope for.

And now a man stood at my bedside, questioning me. Not a local police officer, but some sort of federal official. I was fairly sure I recognized him from the group that had handled the attacks on my hometown of Valleyville and on Coal City. Still, I wasn’t positive. They all seemed to dress the same, in clothing meant to intimidate you, like they were officers from some sort of dystopian police state. Yes, I was exaggerating—they weren’t that bad—but I was still in a bit of pain, so I didn’t really want to be charitable.

“So, you’re saying that no one tried to hurt you?”

“No,” I said, sighing loudly. I couldn’t hide the irritation. “Now, why are you interrogating me? Do I need to call my lawyer? I know a really talented one. He’s also a good friend.”

The man wasn’t deterred, not that I thought he would be. He was a fed, after all.

“Ms. Vale, you were hit by a car.”

I waved a hand in a dismissive gesture.

“It didn’t hit me. It just grazed me. The worst of it is that I now have a rather large bruise on my side. I consider myself very lucky; it could have been a lot worse. I am sure it will heal soon.”

“And your other injuries?” he asked, gesturing at my head and hands, both at new contusions and old. The damage to the skin of my hands from hitting and then skidding along the pavement was extensive, though at least my legs and arms had been mostly spared. Those jeans and my jacket would never be the same, though.

“Last night I had a bike accident. I didn’t think it was that bad, so I just patched myself up. Doctors took scans. I’m fine. Just a very mild concussion, they think.” I didn’t mention that they had also treated me for a mild case of dehydration, overloading with me with liquid. I had only drunk a little water this morning, and that was to down some painkillers, and I had eaten nothing since noon the previous day. He didn’t need to know that. That was after all my own fault. Still, I wondered why he was bothering me at all.

“Look, I’m sure someone who was there last night has video of what happened,” I said, trying for a polite tone. “It will show it was just an unfortunate accident. Just some people who were more than a bit zealous. I’m sure several people have already posted video and pictures on any of the various social media websites. It should be easy to find.”

“That has already been taken care of.”

I admit; I was curious. “Taken care of? How?”

“Officer Pike from Coal City took in all of the people involved in tonight’s altercation.

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