Page 85 of Fatal Strike
Her mind ran through first aid training.Remain calm so as not to increase blood circulation and risk the spread of poison.
Few people died from rattler bites.
Wash the area.She stepped over snake parts and ran warm water in the sink. After pumping soap onto her hands, she gingerly washed her swollen hand and used handfuls of water to rinse. Thank goodness she seldom wore rings or bracelets. She tossed a glance back at the snake’s severed head, fangs still ready to unleash venom.
Acid rose in her throat. She craved water and reached into the cabinet for a glass. Dizziness attacked her. Thirst and low blood pressure were some of the symptoms. After she downed the water, her stomach revolted and the contents came back up with a vengeance.
She lifted her injured hand and immediately dropped it back into the sink. Must keep the injury below the heart level. No ice.
What had she forgotten?
Where were the paramedics?
What if the hospital had depleted their supply of antivenom?
She struggled to keep her eyes open and slid to the floor. The snake’s open mouth seemed to move forward.
54
JON HEARD HIS PHONE RINGwhile hot water from the shower flowed over his tired body. After Leah had left, he’d spent two more hours outside cleaning up around his home. Time to take more interest in his home. He’d walked an area behind his back porch for a potential pool location.
His phone rang a second and third time. Reaching for the towel, he dried his hands and grabbed the device. “Jon Colbert.”
“Jon, this is SAC Thomas. Leah’s at Houston Methodist Hospital, the Fannin location. Rattlesnake bite.”
Chills swept over him. The Venenos. “What happened?”
“Not sure. She called 911 for help from her home. When the paramedics arrived, she’d passed out. She’s regained conscious—”
“Was she bitten or injected with venom?”
“Bitten.”
“How did a rattler get inside her apartment? Never mind. I’m on my way.” He held the phone between his chin and shoulder while using the towel to finish drying his body. Leah’s fear of snakes had risen a hundred notches.
“She’s in a private room with agent protection. The hospital and the agents guarding her room are expecting you. Contact me after you see her,” SAC Thomas said. “I’m sending a team to sweep her apartment and find the snake. I’ve checked and her complex has security cameras.”
Jon laid the phone on the bathroom counter. Who found out where Leah lived and put a rattler inside her apartment?
Within five minutes, Jon was backing his truck out of his garage and heading into town. Sunday evening traffic had dwindled, and he’d make good time to the medical center.
She’d told him this week,“I’d rather face a dozen armed bad guys than one snake.”
Poisonous snakebites were dangerous, but most people recovered if antivenom was administered within two hours. How long had she lain there before the paramedics arrived? How many times had she been bitten?
Slow down.Doctors were handling her care. There was nothing he could do now anyway. Hanson’s words whispered in his mind—“No need to feel helpless when God is guiding your way.”
God, I haven’t felt this scared since the fire. Take care of Leah, okay?
At the hospital, he approached the nurses’ station, and apleasant young woman led him to Leah’s room, where two plainclothes agents guarded her door. Jon presented his ID to the agents and they verified his information. Jon shook handswith each man and thanked them for protecting his partner. Jon turned to the nurse.
“She’s going to be fine,” the nurse said. “But the side effects of the antivenom have made her nauseous.”
“Will she be released soon?”
“The doctor wants to watch her for the next few hours to make sure the vomiting stops and there are no allergic reactions to the medication.”
Relief flooded his veins. He’d sit with her until the doctor gave the all clear and offer his rental truck as taxi service. Given her snake phobia, she might prefer a hotel rather than returning to her apartment. Jon opened the door and stepped inside the room. Leah’s bluish lips startled him.
