He whispered into her ear , “ So you ’ re not such a smart old bird a er all , are you ? Senile idiot . Guess we ’ ll do this the hard way .”
He carried her , hugged tight to his chest , mouth pinched painfully , to the flagstone patio and the back door .
A crow cawed from atop the rhododendron .
With both his hands occupied , he didn ’ t close the door behind him . He threw her to the hardwood floor of her study . Before she ’ d rolled to her back to see him , he ’ d kicked her side with a heavy , booted blow . Another knocked the wind from her . A third narrowed her vision .
Before she lost consciousness , something screamed into the room , a stream of screeching black feathers . Crows , with wicked beaks pecked at her assailant ’ s eyes , his hands , his cheeks . He punched and grabbed , but they dodged his aggression with aerobatic ease . Talons tore flesh and drew blood . Clothing shredded beneath the onslaught .
The man yelled and whirled but couldn ’ t escape their attacks . His arms feeble , he ran to the front door , threw it open , and rushed outside-
Into the outstretched arm of a policeman ready to knock .
He barreled into the officer , knocking him aside , but the policeman ’ s partner nabbed the wouldbe conman .