Force of the Falcon. Rita Herron

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      She nodded, then pasted on a brave smile and huddled into the blanket beside her mother. Sonya was breathing steadily, but anxiety still tugged at Brack. He waved to Katie as the door shut behind them, then crawled into his Land Rover and cranked the engine. The wind beat at the windows, fresh snow swirling in a fog. More questions hammered through his head as he maneuvered the vehicle down the mountain toward town.

      Didn’t Sonya have any family to call? Where was her husband?

      If he was alive, if they were divorced, did he ever see Katie?

      If so, why wouldn’t she have wanted him to call the man now? She’d need help with Katie while she healed.

      They’re not your problem, he silently reminded himself. Don’t get involved.

      But he had to find out exactly what had attacked Sonya. Was it one of his birds of prey or was it another kind of creature—a human one who not only killed animals but now had attacked an innocent woman?

      BRACK PACED the hospital waiting room, sipping the stale, cold coffee from the vending machine as he waited on the doctors to check Katie and Sonya. A half hour later, one of the nurses finally appeared; he almost accosted her with questions, but at the last moment held himself in check.

      “Sir, were you the man who found the Silverstein woman and child?”

      He glanced at her name tag. Amy. She was youngish, maybe early thirties, blond hair, a kind smile. “Yes. Brack Falcon. How are they?”

      “They’re both going to be fine. They treated Sonya’s injuries and have settled her into a room now. Her little girl is in there with her.” She paused, studying him, her eyes narrowed. “We’ve called the babysitter, Margaret Mallady,” she continued. “She said she’d be here as soon as possible to pick up Katie.”

      “Good.” He could breathe now. Go home.

      “Did you see the attack on Ms. Silverstein, Mr. Falcon?”

      He shook his head. “No, I heard her screaming and found her on the ground.”

      A frown creased her forehead. “What were they doing outside in the blizzard?”

      “The little girl snuck out looking for her kitten.”

      “That sounds like Katie.” The woman’s round cheeks ballooned out as she shook her head. “Poor Sonya. She’s had her hands full. She didn’t need this.”

      He frowned, wanting to ask what she meant but warning himself not to.

      Don’t get involved, and you won’t get hurt.

      He was a loner. A man who needed no one. A man who didn’t want anyone needing him.

      “Doctor Waverman called the sheriff,” Amy said. “To report the attacks.”

      Sheriff Cohen. Dammit. He was the last person in town Brack wanted to see. He hated the man for railroading his father into jail twenty years ago. And he’d tried to run Rex out of town when he’d first arrived, and he’d interfered with their investigation.

      “Oh, there he is now.” She rushed forward to greet the sheriff, then gestured toward Brack. Sheriff Cohen’s jowls shook as he gave Brack a once-over. His look said it all. Why had the Falcon boys returned to Falcon Ridge—to cause trouble?

      Cohen shifted, then jerked his pants up with his stubby thumbs and stalked toward Brack. “So, you’re the other Falcon?”

      Brack nodded. “Sheriff.”

      “You found the Silverstein woman?”

      “Yes.”

      His bushy eyebrows climbed his forehead. “Mind telling me what you were doing out in the woods?”

      “You know my family rescues injured birds. Lately there have been several attacks on the animals. I heard a loud screeching sound, and was out checking on them.”

      “You were searching for wounded birds?” Suspicion laced the sheriff’s gruff voice.

      “Yes. Then I heard a scream and found the woman on the ground. She’d been attacked. But she told me to look for her little girl.” He forced a steely calm to his voice although the memory of having to leave the woman alone haunted him. “I found Katie hiding in a cave, then carried them both to my house and phoned the paramedics.” He finished matter-of-factly, glaring at the sheriff, willing him to defy his statement.

      “You know what attacked the woman?” Cohen asked.

      Brack shook his head. “I didn’t see the actual attack.”

      A doctor appeared through a set of double doors, then introduced himself to Brack and the sheriff. “Is Ms. Silverstein awake yet?” Sheriff Cohen asked. “I’d like to get her statement.”

      Dr. Waverman shook his head. “She’s pretty heavily sedated, but we can go in for just a moment. Her daughter is with her.”

      “Tell me about her injuries,” Sheriff Cohen ordered.

      Dr. Waverman winced, then described the claw marks on Sonya’s back and hands. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The marks look like talons but some of them are so large…”

      “Damn birds,” Sheriff Cohen said. “This is you and your brothers’ fault,” he snapped. “We never had trouble with birds attacking people before, not till you moved back and started providing a refuge for them. Are you breeding some special kind that feeds on humans?”

      Brack’s blood ran cold at the man’s accusations. “That’s ridiculous. If the birds are attacking people, they must be sick.”

      “Then they need to be destroyed,” Sheriff Cohen said.

      Brack’s jaw tightened, his control teetering on the edge. What kind of ignorant moron was Cohen? “What they need is medical treatment.”

      “Gentlemen, why don’t we see what Sonya has to say before we do anything rash,” Dr. Waverman suggested.

      Brack and the sheriff exchanged silent, menacing looks, but followed quietly. The scent of antiseptic and medicines pervaded the halls; the beep of hospital machinery and rattling of medicine carts and gurneys added a layer of charged tension.

      Brack’s gut clenched when he stepped inside. Sonya lay against the stark white sheets, her dark curly hair spread across the pillow, her face pale in sleep. Long dark lashes curled against ivory skin dotted with the faintest row of freckles. Her lips were a natural ruby color, her chin slightly pointed, her face heart-shaped. He hadn’t gotten a good look at her before, but she was stunning, like a real-life Sleeping Beauty. The childish story taunted him—if he kissed her, would she wake up and be healed?

      Ridiculous.

      His gaze landed on her bandaged hands and anger churned through him. A primitive surge of protective instincts swelled in his chest, as well.

      The sheriff walked over and stared at Katie with a scowl. She looked impossibly small and fragile huddled in the chair beside СКАЧАТЬ