Fairy by Shane McKenzie

liver. It isn’t good.”
    They took the lift to the ICU, but an officious nurse blocked their path when they tried to get into the room, so they stood and stared at Crozier through the glass, watching the vital signs machine monitoring his heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. The steady bleep of the machine should have been reassuring but, as they stood there, both of them found themselves holding their breaths, waiting for the machine to fall silent. A woman, wearing a white coat, with a stethoscope draped around her neck, leaned over Crozier, slender hands adjusting the feed of an intravenous drip that stood sentinel at the side of the bed. She had long, dark hair, secured with a clip at the back of her head, but the hair at the front was wayward and kept falling in front of her eyes. With small shakes of her head, which looked like gestures of despair, she flicked the strands back, away from her face.
    Finishing her task, she stood upright, turned, faced the window and noticed Bailey and Trudy observing her. Flashing them a sympathetic smile, she went to the door and stepped out into the corridor to greet them.
    â€œDoctor Maria Bridge,” she said, holding out her hand. “Are you family?”
    Trudy shook her head.
    â€œAs good as,” Bailey said, producing his Department 18 ID card and letting her read it. “What are his chances?”
    â€œI’m afraid Mr. Crozier is no more than stable. The internal damage is extensive and he lost an awful lot of blood before the paramedics arrived. We should know more by morning, when he regains consciousness.”
    â€œSo he might die,” Bailey said, and heard Trudy suck in her breath. He turned to her. “I’m only voicing what we’re both thinking,” he said.
    â€œTo be so blunt about it…” Her voice trailed off as the tears started to flow again.
    Bridge was nodding her head slowly. “Yes, he might. If you were family I’d sugar coat it a little, but as you work for the Department I think it’s best I’m as direct as you are. Let’s say the next twenty-four hours are going to be critical. I’m keeping him sedated so his body can get on with the healing process.”
    â€œSo you know about the Department,” Bailey said. It wasn’t a question. When he’d shown her his ID card, there was no query in her eyes, only a guarded recognition.
    â€œYes, the secret department the government has to investigate abnormal, possibly paranormal, activities,” she said and then hesitated, giving a small shake of her head. “Another story, another time, perhaps.”
    â€œCan we go in and see him?” Trudy said.
    â€œThere’s little point,” Bridge said. “He’s in a state of deep unconsciousness. He won’t know you’re here.” She took in the pleading look in Trudy’s moist eyes and relented. “Five minutes. No more.”
    â€œThank you,” Trudy said and stepped around her into the room.
    â€œDid you perform the operation?” Bailey said.
    â€œYes,” she said.
    â€œHe’s in good hands then.” From what he’d seen of her so far he was impressed by Maria Bridge. She seemed capable and confident.
    Smiling slightly she stared down at her palms. “I’d like to think so. Yes.”

eBooks are not transferable.
    They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.
    This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
    Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
    11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
    Cincinnati OH 45249
    Fairy
    Copyright © 2012 by Shane McKenzie
    ISBN: 978-1-61922-260-1
    Edited by Don D’Auria
    Cover by Scott