“I think my tibia is fractured.”
“Are any of the cuts stinging?”
She hadn’t thought of that. “I don’t think the knife was poisoned. I’m not feeling any of the typical effects.”
At Inaya’s raised eyebrow, Sam chuckled. “Tansy is a scientist. She knows a lot about a lot of things.” Then his voice turned serious. “Do you think there’s a chance the blade was tainted?”
The paramedic shrugged. “It’s good to take all possibilities into account. I’m assuming the knife is being treated as evidence? Have it checked first for trace elements.”
Sam squeezed Tansy’s shoulder, kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
Inaya finished with her vitals and sparkled up at her. “You’re a lucky one. He’s yummy.”
And Tansy found her first genuine laugh in a long time. “He certainly is.”
“I’m going to slice open the bottom of your leggings to get a better look at your injuries. I’ll take pictures of the condition before so that the agents have that for any evidence they need.”
Tansy nodded while Inaya went about her job.
When she’d snipped the legging up to the thigh, Tansy looked down. Blood had dripped down from the cuts and there were several red marks on her shin that would likely develop into bruises.
Inaya patted her hand gently. “I’m glad your man and his friends are going to put this jerk away for a long time. The other ambulance will be here in a minute and I’ll switch your care to them. We’ll record all the measurements and take pictures to help with the investigation. The more evidence, the better.”
“Shouldn’t you be with him? His injuries are more serious.”
Inaya raised an eyebrow. “Depends on your point of view. His injury isn’t life-threatening, and it’s kind of self-induced. My partner is taking care of him.”
Tansy hadn’t got a closeup of the man’s injured hand, but enough to know that he was likely going to lose a large chunk.
She was just petty enough to hope that the hospital didn’t use prosthetics with any of the parts she had created. He didn’t deserve to have the best.
Which was arrogant and mean, but she didn’t care.
Inaya smiled. “Here’s the other ambulance now. I’ll wait until someone arrives before I switch out. You’ll be in good hands at the hospital. We may not be a huge city, but our doctors are terrific.”
Tansy thanked her as the other paramedic arrived and the woman stood to confer with her colleague.
Sam returned to pull her in for another hug.
She had so many questions, so many things she didn’t know, but she didn’t have the energy to verbalize them. All she wanted to do was snuggle into Sam and let the rest of the world fade away.
Frustration was evident on his face and in his growl when he spoke. “I can’t go to the hospital with you. We need to head to the FBI office to fill out paperwork and get the investigation going.”
Even though she didn’t want to let him go, she smiled. “That’s okay. I’m perfectly capable of handling the hospital by myself.”
He frowned at her. “You won’t be alone. Graham is here. He was down at the office waiting to let the police in. He’s going to stay with you and keep an eye on things from the hospital.”
Sam’s jaw hardened, and he took a breath. “The sadistic bastard who did this to you will be under heavy guard. You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
“I know.” Tansy reached up to cup his cheek. Her eyes filled with tears for a moment, but she blinked them away. She’d told herself she wouldn’t waste another chance. “Thanks for finding me. I love you, Sam.”
Joy flared in his eyes and he kissed her hard. “I love you, too, Tansy. So much.”
She couldn’t stop her own smile and she caressed his jaw and ran her thumb over his lips. He kissed her again and she poured herself into it.
Sam pulled back and smiled at her. “You’re the best person I know, Tansy. I love every part of you.”
Tears filled her eyes and he cupped her face in his big hands. The love in his eyes filled her up and took away her pain.