Part 18 (2/2)

Mona sat down at the table with me and handed me a cup of coffee that was so strong I'd probably see hair on my chest in the morning.

Then all my joking took a flying leap out a fifteen story window when I heard what she had to say next.

”Audrey was s.e.xually a.s.saulted on the way to her car today. She's okay, physically, other than the obvious, and she only wants you,” Mona said softly.

I closed my eyes, trying in vain to shut out the infuriated scream that threatened to burst free of my lips.

”Rue, sweetheart. I know it's rough. Believe me, I do. But you need to drink your coffee and get it together. Now,” Mona said authoritatively.

I opened my eyes, cleared my mind, and stood.

The coffee came with me as I walked into the hall. ”Which room?”

They had two designated rooms that we normally used for these types of cases.

Collecting evidence on rape victims could take upwards to six hours, and they wanted the room to be private and as comfortable as could be.

”She's in the blue room,” Mona said quietly.

I nodded. The blue room was good.

It was the furthest away from the main ER as it could be without actually being off the floor.

”Are the things I need already in the room?” I asked.

Mona nodded. ”I put them in there myself. Let me know if you need me, okay?”

I nodded. ”Absolutely.”

I walked into the room not knowing what to expect, but the defeated, beaten woman in no way, shape, or form resembled the Audrey I knew.

”Audrey?” I asked.

The beaten woman looked up, and I met Audrey's beautiful green eyes.

They were on fire.

Rage. Turmoil. Helplessness. Sadness. Disgust.

Those were only a few of the emotions playing in her eyes, and I knew that she'd fight.

She'd never give up.

Not our Audrey.

”Hey, sweet girl. Are you ready?” I asked softly.

I gave her room, knowing that was one of the things that a.s.sault victims had trouble with: invasion of their territory.

She nodded and croaked, ”I'm ready.”

I closed the door softly behind me, locked it, and moved closer to her at an extremely slow pace.

”You just tell me if I do anything you don't want me to. I'll try my best to explain each and everything that I'm doing, and if at any point you get uncomfortable, just let me know, okay?” I told her.

Her eyes never left mine. ”Yes.”

”Okay, sweet girl. Let's get started. What I want you to do is leave your clothes on. I'm going to start on the outside and work my way inside, okay?” I asked.

She nodded but didn't say anything.

Part of a SANE nurse's job was to collect evidence, collect the statement, and doc.u.ment the injuries that he or she observes.

SANE exam protocols were set in place for the safety and comfort of the patient. We didn't want to make them any more nervous than they already were. The rule was that there was only one person collecting the evidence and doing the invasive procedures, which made it more tolerable for the patient.

The only good thing that came out of this was that Audrey knew me. She trusted me. She cared for me.

Otherwise, I'd have spent a lot longer trying to calm her down.

I was doing well, too, until I got to the point where I was uncovering Audrey.

The ma.s.s of purple bruises on her legs made her flinch from the sight.

”I'm going to start taking pictures again, okay?” I asked.

I wanted to hug her so badly, but I knew there wasn't a place for that right now. She needed me to do my job, and that was what I was going to do.

Four hours later, I helped Audrey to the shower.

”Okay, honey. You're welcome to shower and wash whatever you want. Do you need any help?” I asked softly.

She shook her head. ”No ... but will you stay? In that seat right there? Don't leave me yet, okay?”

I nodded. ”I'll stay right here and start on my paperwork, okay?”

She nodded gratefully. ”Thank you.”

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