Page 108 of The Fallen Man
“Katie was attacked,” said Jamal.
“I was going to talk to her,” said Dominique. “But she came running out of her apartment with this man chasing her. She was just wearing underwear and a coat. I think it was your coat, actually. Um. Then I hit the guy with a golf club, but he had a gun.”
“A gun,” Jackson turned back to look at Dominique. “Are youalright?”
“Rufus pulled his piece,” said Jamal. “The guy ran off. Dominique hit him hard! She bent the golf club.”
“She’s a heavy hitter,” said Jackson numbly.
Jackson flipped on the light by Katie’s bed to get a better look and saw the very clear bruises imprints where someone had grabbed her upper arm. He felt himself flush and then grow cold. He wanted to punch something. He looked up at Dominique and found that he couldn’t even form words.
“Who did this?” he demanded, but Dominique hesitated. “What did he look like? Give me something.”
“Jackson, this isn’t… He had a bandana tied across his face, but between you and me… I’m pretty sure it was Dennis Houge.”
“Houge?”
“It was the hair,” said Dominique. “It was the same. But I’m not sure that would stand up in court.”
“It doesn’t have to,” said Jackson.
“Ms. Deveraux?” asked a tired-looking doctor peering into the room.
“Yes,” said Dominique. “Can you tell us how Caitlin is?”
“Concussion,” said the doctor. “Some other bruising and contusions. And um…” He glanced at Jamal and Jackson. “Due to her state of… state of her clothing…”
“Just say it,” snarled Jackson.
“We ran a rape kit,” said the doctor. “It came back negative, but that doesn’t mean, um.”
“Yes, thank you,” said Jackson.
“But the concussion is the worst of it.”
“The man hit her head on the pavement,” said Dominique. “And she might have hit it on the cab. I don’t know.”
“She should remain in the hospital for at least the next day or two,” said the doctor. “We’ll run an MRI tomorrow when she wakes up.”
“That’s fine,” said Jackson. “I’m going to be bringing in some security personnel and have them in the room. Jamal will also be staying here.”
“I’m not really sure…” said the doctor looking warily at Jamal.
“He saw the man who attacked her. I need him to be able to identify him if he comes here.”
“Oh,” said the doctor. “Um… shouldn’t the police...”
“I will involve the police at the correct juncture,” said Jackson. “In the meantime, please let your staff know that they must have their ID in place and may have to identify themselves.”
“Of course,” said the doctor.
“Thank you. You can go,” said Jackson.
“OK,” said the doctor and backed from the room.
Jamal was eyeing him with awe. “You’re badass.”
“If I were badass she wouldn’t be here,” said Jackson, dialing his phone. “Devonte, it’s Jackson.”
