The clear acrylic and glass partition was built like a safe.
Mark had installed it to keep the nursery private and dust-free.
Now it served as a terrifying barrier separating mother and child.
The red warning lights above the keypad flashed with every beep.
Officer Davis rushed up behind Sarah with his heavy tactical flashlight.
He examined the digital keypad mounted beside the door frame.
Officer Davis: Ma'am, do you know the emergency passcode?
Sarah: Mark set it to his wedding anniversary!
Sarah punched four numbers into the glowing rubber buttons quickly.
A harsh red light flashed and a loud error buzzer rang out.
Sarah: She changed the master security code on me!
Sarah turned around and stared down the hallway toward the parlor.
Victoria was still sipping her red wine with total composure.
She did not even turn her head toward the shouting mother.
Officer Davis drew his baton and approached the electronic control panel.
Officer Davis: Mrs. Sterling, give us the emergency override key now!
Victoria: That control system is automatic, officer.
Victoria: I do not know how to bypass the high-tech locks.
Officer Davis: That room is getting hot, and the child is distressed.
Victoria: My husband handles all the technological features here.
Sarah ran down the hall toward Victoria with absolute fury in her eyes.
She stopped two feet away from the luxurious white sofa.
Sarah: Give me the override key right now, Victoria!
Victoria: You are trespassing on private Sterling family property.
Sarah: She is my biological daughter, you heartless monster!
Victoria: The court gave temporary residence to Mark, not you.
Officer Miller: Stand down, ladies!
Officer Miller found a heavy brass fire extinguisher near the hallway arch.
He ran toward the clear acrylic partition door with the extinguisher raised high.
He slammed the metal base of the extinguisher into the lock housing.
Sparks flew from the electronic keypad circuit board instantly.
The heavy glass door clicked loudly as the magnetic seal released power.
Sarah lunged forward and pulled the heavy door open wide.
A gust of warm trapped air poured out into the cool hallway.
Sarah reached into the crib and scooped up her crying infant.
She clutched the baby tightly against her shaking chest and wept.
Sarah: I got you, my sweet angel!
Sarah: You are safe now!
The baby instantly calmed down against the sound of her voice.
Officer Davis looked at the wall switches inside the lock box.
He saw that the primary air fan switch had been intentionally flipped off.
A thick layer of gray tape was placed directly over the toggle.
This was no accidental system failure or automatic malfunction.