Chapter 3 - Sirens in the Mountains
Back in the present, the serene silence of the Colorado mountain town was violently shattered.
Wailing sirens tore through the crisp evening air, echoing off the pine-covered hillsides and bouncing off the walls of the Harrison family lake house. Red and blue strobe lights painted the living room ceiling in frantic, flashing strokes, cutting through the comfortable haze of bourbon and grilled steak.
Robert stepped out onto the wide front porch, a glass of scotch still half-full in his hand, his face flushed with righteous anger. "What the hell is this?" he muttered, squinting against the glare of two county sheriff cruisers sliding onto the gravel driveway.
Deputy Sheriff Miller stepped out of the lead cruiser, his hand resting casually on his holster, followed closely by a state trooper and a social services investigator named Marcus Vance.
"Robert Harrison?" Deputy Miller called out, his voice carrying an unmistakable authority.
"Yes? I'm the owner of this property. What seems to be the problem? Some neighbors complaining about noise? We can turn the music down—"
"This isn't about noise, Mr. Harrison," Deputy Miller interrupted, walking straight up the steps, his boots heavy on the wood. "We’ve received an urgent mandatory report from Mountain General Hospital regarding your daughter, Olivia Harrison. We have credible medical evidence of severe traumatic spinal injury and chronic, systematic abuse."
The color drained entirely from Robert’s face. The scotch glass slipped from his fingers, shattering against the porch boards, amber liquid splashing across his sneakers.
"Abuse?" Robert scoffed, a nervous, defensive chuckle escaping his lips. "Are you out of your mind? She’s a clumsy teenager! She fell down the stairs because she trips over her own feet! Ask my wife, ask my son—she’s dramatic—"
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"Mr. Harrison," Investigator Vance said, stepping up beside the deputy with a folder gripped tightly in his hand. "Step aside, please. We have a court-ordered warrant to secure the premises, interview all witnesses, and take immediate protective custody of any minors in this household. And right now... you’re under investigation for felony child abuse and criminal endangerment."
Inside the house, Jennifer screamed.
