Chapter 4 - NOT AN ACCIDENT
Dr. Patel closed the curtain around Owen's bed.
"The preliminary screen found a sedating medication in his system," she said. "Enough that I don't believe this came from accidental contact."
Sarah's knees nearly gave out.
Daniel caught her elbow.
"Is he going to be okay?"
"Right now, his vital signs are stable. We are keeping him for observation and confirming the result."
Daniel looked toward his sleeping son.
His anger became strangely quiet.
"Do you have to report this?"
"Yes."
Sarah whispered, "To who?"
"Child protective services, and likely law enforcement."
Daniel's phone buzzed again.
This time Evelyn had sent a photo.
It showed the patio perfectly cleaned.
No broken plate.
No spilled dessert.
No tea glass.
Under the photo was one sentence.
SEE? NOTHING HAPPENED.
Daniel showed it to Sarah.
She stared at the image.
"She's cleaning the scene."
"And documenting that she cleaned it."
A police officer entered the room twenty minutes later. Officer Maya Brooks introduced herself, listened carefully, then asked about the camera.
Daniel removed the hub from his pocket.
"This recorded the whole drink table."
Brooks turned it over in her hand.
"Do you have remote access?"
"Yes."
Daniel opened the camera app.
The timeline loaded.
For several seconds, nothing seemed unusual: guests moving between tables, children running across the patio, Evelyn carrying a tray.
Then Sarah pointed.
"There."
Daniel dragged the timeline backward.
On the tiny screen, Evelyn looked over both shoulders.
May you like
Then she reached into her purse.
And the video froze.
