Chapter 2: The Emergency Triage
Chapter 2: The Emergency Triage
Within moments, the grand foyer was flooded with red and blue flashing lights. Paramedics burst through the double doors, followed closely by Detective Ruiz and three plainclothes officers.
"Over here!" Clara cried out immediately, pointing down at Elena while maintaining her trembling facade. "Please help her! She slipped while she was screaming at me! I tried to catch her, I swear I did!"
The paramedics bypassed Clara entirely, rushing down to the landing where Elena lay. Detective Ruiz stepped into the center of the foyer, his sharp eyes taking in the entire scene—the positioning of the body, the height of the stairs, and the subtle smirk playing on Clara’s lips when she thought no one was watching.
"Ma'am, don't move. Tell us where it hurts," the lead paramedic said, quickly checking Elena's vitals and placing a fetal heart monitor on her swollen belly.
Elena gripped the paramedic's arm. "My lower back... and a sharp pain on the left side. Please, check the baby."
The rhythmic, rapid thump-thump-thump of the fetal heartbeat filled the tense room. It was fast, indicating distress, but it was strong. A collective breath escaped Elena’s lips. Her baby was fighting.
As they loaded Elena onto the stretcher, Clara made the mistake of stepping down the stairs, trying to play the role of the concerned matriarch. "Is the baby okay? Oh, thank goodness. Elena, how could you be so careless on the stairs?"
"Miss Vance—or rather, Miss Clara Sterling," Detective Ruiz interrupted, stepping directly into her path. "I need you to step away from the patient."
Clara sniffled, wiping her dry eyes with a silk handkerchief. "Of course, Detective. It’s just been such a traumatic evening. Elena has been very emotionally unstable lately. I’m willing to overlook her aggression tonight given her state, but we really need to discuss—"
"We aren't discussing Elena's state, Miss Sterling. We are discussing yours," Ruiz said coldly. He turned to one of his officers. "Secure the grandfather clock in the hallway. Extract the memory card from the camera unit inside. Also, secure the brooch on the victim’s coat."
Clara’s face instantly drained of color. The fake tears dried up as her mouth opened in a silent gasp. "Camera? What camera? This is a private residence, you have no right—"
"This residence is currently a crime scene," Ruiz stated, pulling a sealed warrant from his coat pocket. "We have a warrant signed by a federal judge authorizing the seizure of all digital recording devices and financial logs on these premises. Furthermore, Miss Sterling, you are coming with us to the precinct for questioning regarding aggravated assault and attempted feticide."
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"What?! No! Mrs. Gable, tell them! You saw her fall!" Clara screamed, turning to the housekeeper, but Mrs. Gable was staring in shock at the police officers who were already dismantling the face of the grandfather clock.
Elena was wheeled out the door, the cool night air hitting her face. As the ambulance doors slammed shut, she looked out the window to see Clara being led down the stone steps in handcuffs, her expensive blonde hair disheveled, shouting profanities into the night. The war had officially begun.
