CHAPTER 2 — THE CAMERA NEVER BLINKED
CHAPTER 2 — THE CAMERA NEVER BLINKED
The sirens grew louder.
Preston looked toward the ballroom entrance.
Then up.
His eyes found the tiny red light above the doorway.
The security camera.
For the first time that evening, he looked afraid.
Two paramedics rushed inside while hotel security followed close behind.
One paramedic knelt beside Sophie, gently moving the blood-soaked ribbon away from her hair.
"Sweetheart, can you tell me your name?"
"Sophie," she whispered.
"And who hit you?"
She pointed.
"My uncle."
No hesitation.
No confusion.
Every guest heard her.
The hotel security manager approached calmly.
"I'm going to preserve all surveillance footage immediately."
Preston stepped forward.
"There won't be anything useful."
The manager met his eyes.
"There usually is."
A police officer entered the ballroom moments later.
"No one leaves until we've reviewed the initial evidence."
My mother finally spoke.
"This is a family misunderstanding."
The officer glanced at the child being treated for a head wound.
May you like
"It stopped being a family matter when a child was injured."
The room fell silent.
