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She gently turned Cindy’s head and looked for the source of the blood She was covered in it It was running from her temple, down her neck, and into her sweater Had Cindy been shot in the head?

But then Claire found it Four inches behind the teash Not a hole Claire parted Cindy’s hair and saw that the laceration looked like it had been caused by Cindy’s fall She e of a stone tread

Claire put her hands on Cindy’s shoulders

“Cindy It’s Claire Can you hear me?”

Cindy groaned and Claire said, “Thank you, God”

“Claire? What happened?”

“Put your arms around my neck”

Cindy reached up, and Claire helped her friend into a more comfortable position She sat her on a step, and leaned her back against the edge of the wall

“How do you feel?”

“My head hurts And I think I twisted my ankle”

“Aw, Cindy I’m here I’m here” Claire patted her friend’s back

Claire saw Cindy’s handbag below the steps, lying on the grass She ran down to get it, opened the hobo bag, and poured out the contents She pawed through the litter of purse junk until she found it

Cindy’s cell phone She checked the battery The phone was charged

Next, she dialed the radio rooot the voice of dispatcher May Hess May knew every cop in the Southern Station And she knew everyone in the ME’s office, as well Claire was in good hands

“May, this is Claire Washburn and I’ency I need an aot a unshots And we have another victim here with a head injury When I say pronto, I ht”