Now that Macy was hedging, Jericho felt ashamed to admit that her change of heart would seem like a reprieve. His only sorrow if they didnt marry would be T.J. But maybe things around the county would settle down enough now for him to spend more time with the boy despite not being his stepfather.
Sheriff Yates. Dr. ONeal met him just inside the front door. Id like to speak to you in private before you see the patient. Lets sit out here in the empty waiting room.
Jericho followed the doc. Whats wrong? Did the bullet do serious internal damage?
Dr. ONeal sat down on the flimsy, fake leather couch and removed his glasses. No. Her gunshot wound is superficial. The bullet went right through the flesh on her left side and completely missed her ribcage. She twisted her ankle when she fell, but its not broken or sprained. She also has some old bruising and a few nontreated cuts that appear to be at least twenty-four hours old. All things considered, her physical condition is unofficially beat-up but not serious.
Thats not the worst of it, though, Doc added thoughtfully.
Jericho leaned against the edge of Docs desk. What are you trying to say?
She cant tell me how she got the bruises or the cuts. In fact, she doesnt remember a thing before this morning. Im no expert in head trauma, mind you. But even with the small bump on her head, I dont believe shes suffered any major jarring of the brain. Certainly theres not enough outward damage to suspect a physical blow caused her amnesia.
There is a condition known as a fugue state or psychogenic amnesia, he continued. Its caused by a traumatic event so frightening to the patient that they flee from reality and hide themselves in another, safer lifeone with no memories. I dont have a lot of training in psychology, but I do remember learning that this kind of state may last for months or years.
Amnesia? But its just temporary. The memories will eventually come back, right?
Hard to say, Doc hedged as he blew dust from his glasses. I understand that in some cases snippets of memories will flash through the mind and memories may fade in and out until the full picture emerges. Sometimesnothing comes back at all.
Jericho took a breath. He couldnt imagine how hard that would be. To never be able to bring back the memory of growing up or the memory of his mothers face. What would that do to?
He jerked and straightened his shoulders. Whatever would possess him to think such a thing? His mother had been a drunk and had left the family when he was only a kid. Truth be told, he hated her. Why would he care to remember what her face looked like? That was one memory he wouldnt mind losing for good.
Lets go talk to the patient, Doc. Whats her name?
Dr. ONeal shrugged. No clue. She doesnt remember and your deputy said he couldnt find any ID in her clothes or at the church scene.
Now, that was one thing Jericho would hate to forget. The Yates name meant something. There were generations of Yates men who had been lawmen, sportsmen and landowners. It was a name to be proud of and to do right by.
Sheriff Yates. Hed worked hard to get that title. Hed paid his dues as deputy, been appointed when the old sheriff retired, and finally had been elected on his own merit. He anticipated continuing to be a man worthy of everyones respect. And it was high time to do his job.
As Jericho walked through Dr. ONeals office door to meet the mystery woman, he didnt know what he expected to find. But it was definitely not the most gorgeous woman he had ever beheld.
Yet there she sat on one of Docs plastic chairs. Miss America, Miss Universe and Venus de Milo all wrapped into onewith a bad haircut and wild, sky-blue eyes. Jericho had to swallow hard in order to find his voice.
Good evening, maam. Im Sheriff Jericho Yates. Howre you feeling?
She lightly touched her temple, but continued to stare up at him, those strange electric eyes boring holes straight into his. The headache and the four
stitches in my side are the worst of it. No, I take that back. Not knowing my own name is the worst of it. Did Dr. ONeal tell you that I cant remember anything? He says I have amnesia.
Yes, maam. I understand. But we need to talk about what you do remember. Can you start with your first clear memory and tell me everything that happened up until the time when you were shot?
UmI guess I could do that. She reached up and rubbed the back of her neck. But can you sit down first? Im getting stiff just looking up at you. How tall are you anyway?
Jericho found a chair and dragged it over while Doc moved to sit behind his desk. Six-three. They both sat. There you go, Red. Is that better?
Yes, thanks. Lost and feeling vulnerable, even in the presence of someone as safe as the sheriff, the woman had to take deep breaths in order to calm herself down.
Did you just call her Red, Sheriff? The doctor was scowling over his desk pad.
The sheriff looked perplexed. Well, I suppose. Weve got to call her something. Hey you just wont do and she has all that bright red hair. Seemed to work.