Chapter 1: The Signal
Chapter 1: The Signal
Paramedic Sarah Chen never raised her voice.
She simply looked at her partner and said,
"Activate trauma protocol... and notify law enforcement."
The backyard froze.
Harold stepped forward.
"That's unnecessary."
Sarah met his eyes without hesitation.
"A patient with suspected spinal trauma has reported being intentionally pushed."
She paused.
"That makes this a potential crime scene."
Tyler's face lost what little color remained.
He turned toward the house.
Marcus had disappeared.
As the stretcher was prepared, Sarah noticed something unusual.
A fresh splinter was embedded in Bridget's sleeve.
She looked up at the broken railing.
The fracture wasn't weathered.
It was clean.
Recent.
Almost as if the railing had already been weakened.
She quietly photographed it with her department-issued camera.
"Don't let anyone touch that deck."
Just then, Officer Daniel Ruiz arrived.
He immediately ordered everyone to remain on the property.
Tyler laughed nervously.
"This is getting ridiculous."
Daniel answered calmly.
May you like
"If everything was an accident..."
"...you have nothing to worry about."
