Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files #8) - Jim Butcher Page 0,53
inside bend of her left arm. The writhing strings of energy ended at the surface of her skin, in dozens of tiny, mindlessly opening and closing little mouthsthe needle tracks Id seen the night before. Her right hand kept darting back and forth over the other arm as if trying to scratch a persistent itch. But her fingers couldnt touch. There was a kind of sheath of sparkling motes around her hands, almost like mittens, and she couldnt actually touch those mindlessly hungry mouths. Worse, there were what looked almost like burn marks on her temples small, black, neat holes, as if someone had bored a hot needle through the skin and skull beneath. There was a kind of phantom blood around the injuries, but her eyes were wide and vague, as if she didnt even notice them. What the hell? I had seen the victims of spiritual attacks before, and theyd never been pretty. Usually they looked like the victim of a shark attack, or someone who had been mauled by a bear. I hadnt ever seen someone with damage like Rosies. It looked almost like some kind of demented surgeon had gone after her with a laser scalpel. That pushed the weirdometer a couple of clicks beyond the previous record.
My head started pounding and I pushed the Sight away. I leaned my hip against the wall for a second and rubbed at my temples until the throbbing subsided and I was sure that my normal vision had returned.
Rosie, I said, cutting into the middle of one of Murphys questions. When was your last fix?
Murphy glanced over her shoulder at me, frowning. Behind her, the girl gave me a guilty look, her eyes shifting to one side. What do you mean? Rosie asked.
I figure its heroin, I said. I kept my voice pitched to the barest level needed to be audible. I saw the tracks on you last night.
Im diab she began.
Oh please, I said, and let the annoyance show in my voice. You think Im that stupid?
Harry, Murphy began. There was a warning note in her voice, but my head hurt too much to let it stop me.
Miss Marcella, Im trying to help you. Just answer the question.
She was silent for a long moment. Then she said, Two weeks.
Murphy arched a brow, and her gaze went back to the girl.
I quit, she said. Really. I mean, once I heard that I was pregnanthellip; I cant do that anymore.
Really? I asked.
She looked up and her eyes were direct, though nothing like confident. Yes. Im done with it. I dont even miss it. The babys more important than that.
I pursed my lips and then nodded. All right.
Miss Marcella, Murphy said, thank you for your time.
Wait, she said, as Murphy turned away. Please. No one will tell us anything about Ken. Do you know how hes doing? What room hes in?
Kens your boyfriend? Murphy asked in a careful tone.
Yes. I saw them load him in the ambulance last night. I know hes herehellip; Rosie stared at Murphy for a second, and then her face grew even more pale. Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no.
I was glad Id gotten a gotten a look at her before she found out about her boyfriend. My imagination provided me with a nice image of watching the emotional wounds open up as though an invisible sword had begun slicing into her, but at least I didnt have to see it with my Sight, too.
Im very sorry, Murphy said quietly. Her voice was steady, her eyes compassionate.
Molly picked that moment to return with a cup of coffee. She took one look at Rosie, put the coffee down, and then hurried to her. Rosie broke down in choking sobs. Molly immediately sat on the bed beside her, and hugged her while she wept.
Well be in touch, Murphy said quietly. Come on, Harry.
Mouse stared at Rosie with a mournful expression, and I had to tug on his leash a couple of times to get him moving. We departed and headed for the nearest stairwell. Murphy headed for ICU, which was in the neighboring building.
I didnt see the track marks on her last night, she said after a minute. You pushed her pretty hard.
Yes.
Why?
Because it might mean something. I dont know what, yet. But we didnt have time to waste listening to her denial.
She wasnt straight with you, Murphy said. No one kicks heroin that fast. Two weeks. She should still be feeling some of the withdrawal.