Page 28 of In Sheets of Rain

“I’m going to head in that direction,” Delta 10 advised.

“I’ll drop the job on your pager,” I said.

“Machete,” Gregg told the cops. “Two man crew. Uncertain of injuries.”

“Ambulance calls A 5-6,” I repeated and got nothing.

* * *

Mark inhaled and blew out a ring of smoke.

“Tough day, huh?” he said.

I said nothing, just shrugged.

“You wanna talk about it?”

I shook my head.

“He’ll be alright, Ky. You got him help before it went too far.”

“The patient had a machete,” I said.

“Shit,” was all the support Mark could give me.

* * *

“R25 is responding,” Gregg told me. “ETA four minutes.”

I nodded.

“Ambulance. A 5-6. R25 responding; ETA four minutes.”

Nothing.

“Do we have any other ambulances nearby?” Gregg asked.

“LSU 4-2 clearing North Shore Hospital.”

“Send them to a staging point at the corner of Fleet Street and Victoria.”

“Ambulance calls LSU 4-2.”

“LSU42. North Shore Hospital. Clear.”

“Priority One, LSU 4-2. Corner of Fleet and Victoria Streets, Devonport. Details on your pager.”

“LSU 4-2 copies. Are we backing up 5-6?”

“Affirmative. Details to follow.”

“Responding.”

* * *

The room spun lazily. Cathy was curled up in Mark’s arms. Tayla had left for home hours ago. The TV was on but muted.

My cell phone buzzed.