Page 6 of Carver’s Crusade

“No, no, that’s fine. I was just surprised,” Karl says. “What do you know about what happened to Raven?”

“I found her,” Min repeats her statement. “I was checking my father’s dojo and spotted her on the ground in the parking lot we share with the gym next door. I saw a car leaving as I was pulling into the parking lot. I found Raven when I parked. I recognized her. That’s when I called for an ambulance.”

“Was she coming to see you?” Sade asks.

Min shakes her head. “I don’t think so. We hadn’t made plans to meet up.”

“We’re checking traffic cams and security feeds from the surrounding businesses,” Shield chimes in. “We’ll track down who was there at that time.”

Sade nods before returning her attention to Tally. “You said she might wake up soon. May I see her?”

Tally smiles warmly at the woman and nods. “Of course, come with me. Only two at a time, I’m afraid. Hospital rules,” Tally explains as Athena moves to follow Sade and Karl.

“I know, I just want to peek in and see her,” Athena says. “Raven means a lot to me.”

“Why don’t you go ahead and go in with Sade?” Karl says. “You can see her, and then I’ll join them.”

Athena beams at Karl. “Thank you. I just want to let her know I’m here for her. I’ll be quick.”

I remain in the waiting room while Ranch leaves with Athena. I take a seat next to Shield, who is sitting across from Babe and Min.

“What do you know?” I ask Shield.

“We think Tony Martin might have been the man who attacked Raven,” Babe explains. “Min recognized Tony’s car as the one leaving when she arrived.”

“Who is Tony Martin? Why would he hurt Raven?” I ask.

“He owns the gym next to my father’s dojo. I’ve never liked him,” Min explains. “He’s hit on me a few times, and he didn’t like it when I said no.”

I see Babe tense, but he remains quiet.

“Has he ever tried to hurt you?” I ask.

Min snorts. “He wouldn’t dare. But I have no trouble seeing him hurting women. He has an attitude problem when it comes to women. He thinks he’s all that and believes women should fall over themselves to be with him.”

“I ran his record and discovered that he’s had complaints filed against him by women. None of them has stuck. The latest involved a woman who reported that he hit her and broke her arm,” Shield says. “The DA didn’t press charges because a witness came forward to say the girl tripped at the gym and did the damage to herself.”

“What? How is that possible?” Min demands.

Shield shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“Sounds like bullshit to me,” Babe says. “Was it just the one witness, or did others back this story?”

“Just the one guy. Paul Storr.”

“Paul Storr?” Min asks in surprise.

“Do you know him?” Shield asks.

Min nods. “Yeah, he’s good friends with Tony. He hangs out at the gym. He would have no problem lying for Tony.”

“Do you think Tony would abuse a woman?” Babe asks her.

Min nods immediately. “Without a doubt. He’s an asshole. He has anger issues, too. It’s another reason why I rejected him. Men like him tend to take their aggravation out on women.”

“I’ll question Raven and see if she can identify her attacker. Do you know if she frequents Tony’s gym?” Shield asks.

Min shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen her there, but then I’m not spending as much time at the dojo as I used to.”