Page 35 of Quinn

“Come this way, Doctor Innes is expecting you.”

We followed Barry along a hallway, around a corner and to a door with a plaque that read Dr. Denise Innes-Trauma Surgeon. He knocked once and a voice called out to enter.

Jake, Barry, Natalie, and I stepped into the small room and Barry closed the door while the other two men stayed outside.

A woman stood from where she’d been seated at her desk, reading over notes spread out before her. She rounded the desk and held her hand out, studying me curiously. Interesting, how did she know I was the patient? Maybe Barry had described me when they spoke. I shook her hand and studied her appearance as Barry introduced us to each other.

The doctor was on the short side, slender, and long black hair was tied up on her head in some kind of knot. Her eyes verged on being cold and there was a familiarity about them. I felt uncomfortable around her but had no idea why.

“I’d prefer only one of you stayed while I speak with Arabella and perform her examinations.”

Barry advised, “I have patients to attend so I’ll meet you back here in an hour or so.”

“I’m staying.” Jake’s voice was firm and brooked no argument. “This woman is in danger, there are very real threats, so I’m sorry, Doctor, but I’m staying by her side.”

“I have no objection to him staying and hearing what I have to say.”

The doctor pursed her lips, I had the feeling she wanted to argue, but she must have thought better of going head to head with Jake and remained silent.

Natalie’s hand in mine gave me a sense of comfort and I found my initial apprehension of the doctor fading.

“Right, young lady, tell me your story. Dr Vincent has told me a little but not in detail.”

“I’m sure Dr Vincent explained about my being a captive of a secret sect for many years.”

“Sangumala…”

My eyes jerked, why would Dr Vincent have told this woman about the deadly group? Why wouldn’t he have just said the same as me…that I was held captive by a secret sect? Or had she just put two and two together? It made sense she would, there were a limited number of secretive groups on the island. I put my suspicions aside since I had no valid reason for having them.

While the doctor listened, I described some of the events of my life and some of the torture I’d endured. She scribbled notes on a pad in front of her as I spoke. A deep frown creased her forehead but she remained silent. I explained my biggest worry was the effect the cutting of my vagina would have on any ongoing sexual encounters. Not that I planned for any in the foreseeable future.

When I finished, she placed her pen down, sat back in her chair, and again appeared to study me as if I was a curiosity.

“First of all I’ll take you to x-ray and we’ll check what damage has been done by the bullet.” She pushed onto her feet and Jake, Natalie, and I joined her.

“I’m afraid you two will have to remain here.”

Jake shook his head. “Which part of I’m not leaving her side didn’t you understand? Natalie will also stay where I can watch over her safety. I’m sorry, Dr, but it’s not negotiable.”

Jake was certainly taking his word to Quinn seriously even though the people who presented a threat to me were on the other side of the island.

Once again, the doctor didn’t argue. Had she done so, I would have told her to forget about any tests and examinations and asked Jake to take me back to the compound.

When the doctor stepped around us and opened the door, the two men outside spun around.

“Follow us,” were the only words Jake spoke to the men, and as the doctor showed us down a hallway and through a door marked ‘x-ray’, the men followed behind.

I was led to a door with a glass window and a large machine was visible on the other side.

“Mr. Masterton, I must insist you stay out here while the x-ray is taken, but as you can see, Arabella will be in full view the entire time.”

Jake posted one of his men on each side of the door to the room and he and Natalie stepped over to the window. The tests only took a few minutes and while I pulled the dress I’d needed to remove back over my head, the doctor explained she would also like an ultrasound but the machine was being repaired. When she asked if I could return the following morning at 9 am, I agreed.

Once back in her office, Jake agreed to step outside the door while I was given a female examination.

The doctor helped me to sit up on the bed and Natalie continued gripping my hand as she explained her findings.

"Considering what you have been through for many years, you are in relatively good health. As I'm sure you're aware, you are not as developed as one should be for your age. You lack muscle, breast tissue, and a healthy amount of fat. I have no doubt that with a sensible diet, these deficiencies will correct themselves. There is scarring on your genitals, evidence of the cutting you spoke about, but they have left your clitoris intact and only a small amount of tissue has been removed from each lip. I don’t foresee any physical sexual problems when you are ready to proceed down that path. The x-ray showed the bullet travelled through without doing any major damage which is nothing short of a miracle. As I discussed, I’d like the ultrasound tomorrow and then I’d like to refer you to a psychologist who I believe will help you work through the trauma of your past.”