They looked at each other, then down at Eve. "Sorry, sir. We lost her. We've got foot and vehicular patrols doing a sweep. We may get her yet."
"No." Eve dropped her head onto her knees as a vicious wave of nausea churned in her belly. "You won't."
"Are you really a
cop?" The kid tugged Eve gingerly on the sleeve. "Am I in trouble? Man, my mom's going to kill me."
"Get a statement from this kid, then take him home." The sea rushed in again, ebbed again, but she got shakily to her feet.
"Sir." Red-faced, sweaty, and panting like a dog, Peabody limped up. "I'm sorry. I never even caught sight of her. We've got a net out, but..."
"Yeah, she's blown."
"You better sit down." Peabody grabbed Eve's arm when she swayed. "I'll call the MTs."
"I don't want the frigging MTs."
"You're really banged up."
"I said I don't want them. Back off." She started to pull free, watched Peabody's worried face turn to triplets. "Ah, shit," she managed, and actually felt her own eyes roll back in her head before she passed out.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The next thing she knew she was flat out on the sidewalk and a couple of medical technicians were hulking over her.
"I said no."
One ran a sensor wand over her face. "Didn't break the jaw or cheekbone. Lucky. Looks like she was hit in the face with a fistful of bricks."
"Get away from me."
They both ignored her, which concerned her a great deal. When she tried to sit up, she was held down easily.
"Shoulder's sprained, ribs bruised. No cracks. Damn lucky. Lost a lot of skin, too. Good solid brain rattle here. What's your name?"
"Dallas, Lieutenant Eve, and if you touch me, I'll kill you."
"Yep, knows who she is. How's the vision, Lieutenant?"
"I see you well enough, asshole."
"And she's maintained her young, girlish charm. Follow the light. Just your eyes, don't move your head."
"Dallas." Peabody eased down. "You're really hurt. You've got to let them work on you."
"You called them after I told you not to. I can bust you down to a scooper for this."
"I don't think you'd say that if you could see what you look like."
"Think again."
"The light, Lieutenant." The MT took her jaw to keep her head still. "Follow the light."
She cursed him first, then followed the light. "Now let me up."
"I let you up, you're going to fall down again. You've got a concussion, a jammed shoulder, bruised ribs, gashed hip, assorted contusions and lacerations in addition to a face that looks like you rammed it into the back end of a maxibus. We're transporting you to the hospital."
"No, you're not."