me

of Kingman.
For sixty years now, this place had been a sanctuary for people in pain. Jessica had no doubt she would need it more tomorrow than she did today, and even more the day after that.
A high whistling song wafted to her from within the house. She pulled out her palmtop, spoke briefly, and heard the latch of the door unlock. Calmly, quietly, she entered the world of Morgan MacBride.
Solomon spread her wings as she entered the room. "Boss gone," Solomon said mournfully.
"Boss is gone," Jessica replied in soft agreement. She held out her hand to the bird, so Sol could step up onto her. "You're going to have to help me, make me better at being like the Boss. Okay?"
"Okay." Solomon bit her. "Ouch," Solomon said before Jessica could even withdraw her finger. A thin half-moon of blood formed on her finger; the blood looked black in the dusky light penetrating the bay window, and it hurt like hell.
Jessica narrowed one eye and stared at the bird with the other. "Bite me again, and you're cat food."
Solomon flapped her wings. "Sorry. Upset, upset."
Jessica nodded. "So am I. It's okay."
For a moment, Solomon's eyes pinpointed on Jessica, then relaxed. "You new Boss," Solomon said with dawning understanding.
"I'm the new Boss," Jessica agreed. She offered her finger again.
Solomon walked across her finger, up her arm, onto her shoulder.