Sarah regained consciousness as the paramedics lifted her onto the gurney, just in time to see Kevin being led away in handcuffs. “You are making the biggest mistake of your career, Officer,” Kevin shouted. “Fucking heads are going to roll.” His eyes were blazing.

Sarah turned her face away, but she could still hear him cussing. “What happened?” she asked the female paramedic who was threading a strap through a buckle to secure Sarah’s lower legs to the board.

“You blacked out,” the woman replied. “Shock, most likely.”

“I’m okay. I can walk.” Sarah attempted to push herself to a seated position, having forgotten about her injured hand, and fell back with a cry.

Suddenly Mick was beside her, his hand on her shoulder, his worried face filling her vision. “We’re going to the hospital to get you patched up.”

Mick rode with her in the ambulance. She was grateful for his company, to not be going through this alone after so many years of fending for herself. He brought her up to speed on the trip to the hospital. The cops hadn’t known whom to believe, especially when Kevin pulled the NYPD lieutenant card. “It was touch and go for a moment. Fortunately, the cabdriver’s version of the events corroborated my own. They agreed to let me accompany you to the hospital, but we both will need to drop by the police station tomorrow morning. I’ll finish the rest of my statement, and they will need one from you as well.”

Sarah nodded. Suddenly tired. So tired. She could see the residual flash of emergency lights through the window at the back. “They didn’t put the sirens on.”

“You want me to ask them to?”

Sarah shuddered. “No thanks.”

Mick smiled at her, but she could see the worry in his eyes. “Might be exciting?”

“Ha.” Her hand hurt like the devil, and her abdomen felt like a strip of skin had been carved away.