The guest house doors burst open as four armed police officers and two paramedics rushed into the room carrying medical equipment and stretcher gear.
Paramedic: Clear the way! We have an unconscious adult male with severe head trauma!
Caleb: Over here! His pulse is weak and irregular! I found this vial on the floor beside him!
Paramedic: Digitalis toxicity?! Get the IV line ready right now! We need atropine immediately!
Police Officer: Everyone who isn't medical personnel, please step back outside!
Victoria: Officer! I am the victim’s wife, Victoria Sterling! I demand that you arrest my stepson Caleb immediately for physical assault!
Police Officer: Ma'am, calm down. We need to clear the room so the paramedics can work.
Victoria: He slapped me across the face in front of fifty witnesses! Look at my cheek!
Caleb: I struck her because she was physically grabbing my traumatized nine-year-old brother, who witnessed her poisoning my father!
Victoria: That is a complete fabrication! That boy is mentally unstable!
Maya: Officer, look at the boy's wrists! He has fresh fingerprints bruised into his skin where she grabbed him!
The lead police officer stepped closer, shining his flashlight on Noah’s trembling arms. Sure enough, dark purple marks matched the exact grip of an adult hand.
Police Officer: Ma'am, did you touch this child today?
Victoria: I was trying to restrain him after he pushed his father into the table!
Noah: I didn't push him! Dad was falling because he couldn't breathe! I tried to catch him!
Paramedic: Patient is stabilizing, but we need to transport him to Dallas General Trauma Unit right now!
Caleb: I’m going in the ambulance with him.
Paramedic: Only one family member in the back, sir.
Victoria: I am his wife! I will ride in the ambulance!
Caleb: You’re not getting within ten feet of him, Victoria! Officer, my father explicitly revoked her medical power of attorney two weeks ago!
Victoria: That revocation was never filed with the state court!
Maya: Yes it was! Caleb’s legal team filed the notarized paperwork on Monday morning!
Victoria’s face turned pale. She took a step back, her eyes darting toward the open door leading out to the driveway.
Police Officer: Ma'am, I need you to stay right where you are. Nobody is leaving this property until homicide detectives review the scene.
Victoria: Homicide?! My husband isn't dead!
Police Officer: Attempted homicide is a felony, ma'am. And given the evidence in this room, you are officially a person of interest.
Caleb: Maya, take Noah to my car. Drive behind the ambulance straight to the hospital. Do not stop for anything.
Maya: What about you, Caleb?
Caleb: I’m staying right beside Dad. Noah, listen to Maya. You saved Dad’s life today, buddy.
Noah: I did...?
Caleb: You were the bravest person in this entire house. Now go with Maya.
Noah squeezed Caleb’s hand one last time before Maya led him out into the bright afternoon sun. As the paramedics wheeled Charles out on the gurney, Caleb glared at Victoria, who was now surrounded by two police officers.
Caleb: The game is over, Victoria. You’re never stepping foot in our house again.