Chapter 2

When she was brought into Desert Palm Sara had two problems: first, she was excessively dehydrated from her prolonged exposure in the desert in extreme temperatures, and second, she had a complex fracture in her left arm, which had been broken in two places.

I, of course, only found this out after the fact, it was one of the few things I wished I hadn't known.

When I was finally able to see Sara she was resting comfortably in a private hospital room with a large Spica cast going from the middle of her fingers to past her elbow. I already knew that she would be on desk duty for at least the next two months; I couldn't in good conscious let her out in the field in her current condition.

"How are you holding up?" I asked upon entering her room.

Sara made a movement that I supposed was suppose to pass for a shrug.

She chuckled weakly and gave me a wry smile.

"Could be better, I guess."

"We have her, Natalie Davis, The Miniature Killer." I said.

Sara nodded.

"I know, Gil, I-I-saw her… I talked to her… Thought I could get away…" She paused. "I didn't even know she worked in the lab."

I shook my head raising an eyebrow.

"Neither did I, until yesterday." I replied.

We lapsed into silence once more and I sensed Sara was trying to collect her thoughts, as if she had more to say, but was working up the courage to tell me.

"How did you break your arm, the doctor never said." I asked gently.

Sara made a face and frowned, as if the response was difficult for her to think or speak of.

"Escaping." She said shortly, "It was the only way I could escape."

I nodded, remembering the doll in the miniature with the arm stuck out from under the car, the thought of what she had gone through made me vaguely ill.

"The doctors are saying 10 weeks before I can return to work." Sara said, changing the subject, "but I can still make myself useful, processing evidence."

I nodded again before looking up to glance at the clock.

"I better get back to the lab," I said, not sure if I was making an excuse or not, "Ecklie will be wondering where I disappeared off to."

Just as I spoke my cell phone rang. I briefly glanced at the caller ID. Seeing my face Sara smiled wryly.

"Speak of the devil…" She murmured and we both chuckled and shared a smile as I made my exit. Before I left I briefly kissed her forehead, promising I would be back in the morning after breakfast. Then of course there was Ecklie to appease, but I figured he would would probably wait until Sara was back at work.