There was no obvious injury. He ran his fingers through her hair and over her scalp. He found a small lump near the crown of her head but no blood. She had been cracked hard enough to knock her unconscious but her assailant had stopped at one blow. Quill laid one hand on Calico’s shoulder and shook her while he said her name. She moaned softly the second time he gave her a shake and opened her eyes on the third. He gave her a moment to collect herself, which for Calico involved cursing and self-recrimination, and then helped her sit up. She put a hand to her head and gingerly felt around the lump with the tips of her fingers. “This is not done swelling, I think,” she said. “What did she hit you with?” “I’m not sure. I only had a glimpse of her, but I would not be surprised if one of the guns in Ramsey’s case is missing.” “Let’s get you out of the mudroom and into the kitchen.”
