Chapter 2 - Sirens in the DrivewayThe neighbors didn't wait. Within ninety seconds, the sharp, frantic barking of neighborhood dogs was drowned out by the rising wail of a police cruiser.
Marlene sat on the edge of Lily’s bed, sobbing dry, theatrical tears, wiping her face with a pristine handkerchief. Her blouse was deliberately torn at the shoulder—she must have done it to herself during her lunge for the window.
"She's a master manipulator, officer," Marlene sobbed to the first responding cop, a burly veteran with graying temples named Sergeant Miller. "Look at him. He’s covered in grass stains, wild-eyed, threatening us. He wouldn't let me leave the room. He took Clara's medical documents and threatened to finish what he started."
"Dad, she's lying!" Lily screamed, trying to push past a second officer. "Grandma put something in Mom's IV bag this morning! I saw her! I came down the stairs to get my juice and I saw her take a syringe out of her bag and—"
"That’s enough, child," Sergeant Miller interrupted, casting a stern look at Lily before locking his eyes on me. "Sir, step away from the desk. Hands behind your back, nice and slow."
"Are you insane?" I yelled, pulling out the folded hospital note and holding it up like a shield. "Look at this! She has a note detailing how to overdose my wife! My wife is at St. Jude right now!"
Sergeant Miller glanced at the paper, his expression completely blank. He didn't take it from my hand. Instead, he signaled to the younger officer. "Cuff him. We'll let the precinct sort out the forged documents later. Right now, we have a domestic violence and assault call."
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"Dad!" Lily wailed as the cold steel clicked around my wrists.
Marlene looked up from the bed, catching my eye just as they dragged me toward the broken window. She didn't smile. She didn't have to. She simply mouthed three words: You saw nothing.
