Read Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles Page 68
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"No," Doc Gunther said. "It's a dangerous operation. Anything could happen. I might kill you, or worse, I could cripple you for life."
"You have a Talent Stone," Aaron pointed out.
"Yes, but I don't know if I have steady enough hands. One slip of the knife would be disaster."
Aaron studied the man. Gunther looked nervous, but he looked interested, too. Something inside the man wanted to do the operation but lacked confidence. "Somebody will do it if I throw enough money at them. You're the only doctor I know with the Talent and a Stone. I want you."
"But I don't--"
Aaron held up a hand. "I want you."
Sighing, the doctor gave in. "Let me get a bottle of whiskey. You're going to need it."
Aaron finished the entire bottle before he took off his shirt and lay belly down on the operating table. He flinched when Gunther cinched the first strap over his arm. When the third strap was added Aaron glared because it did not feel right.
"Make it tighter," he demanded drunkenly.
Grimacing, Gunther tightened all the straps. Before long Aaron was fastened to the table with four straps on each of his limbs. Being careful, Gunther placed blocks around Aaron to keep him from shifting, and then strapped him down from his waist to the middle of his back. The last strap went across his head.
When Aaron was finally immobile, Doc Gunther picked up his scalpel and carefully cut into the oft healed scar on Aaron's upper back. He cut deep into the old wound.
Even drunk, Aaron had to moan. He gasped, tried to rip free from his restraints, but could not move.
"I see it," Doc said. "At least I see something. In fact, I see several somethings."
"Take them all out," Aaron hissed. His back burned. It flamed the way Sarah and Ernest had burned in the flames. He gritted his teeth and did not scream because this pain was nothing compared to what hid inside his heart. "Leave the wires if you must but take out the transmitter and the explosive."
"Be glad to do that if I knew what you were talking about. I'll just jerk out everything I see that I ain't ever seen inside a body before."
Aaron knew the man was being careful. Part of him appreciated Gunther's professionalism as he dug and carved the flesh around Aaron's spine. Another part of him begged the man to hurry. Unfortunately, Gunther did not listen to Aaron's silent pleas.
"An awful lot of tiny wires here," Doc observed calmly. "Do I need to disconnect them carefully or can I just cut them away."
"Cut the damn things." Aaron's jaw hurt. He heard his teeth grind. "They won't be used again."
"You know, this Talent Stone is wonderful. Normally I would have blood all over everything. Why, this here operation of yours is doing me good, Mister Turner. It's teaching me that I can do more than I ever knew." The doctor's voice hummed with contentment. "Hey, did you know that I can look right inside your organs."
"Always glad to help. Now hurry up. This hurts like hell."
"Please, Mister Turner. Watch your language. Hmmm. How about if I do this?"