Chapter 7 - Sirens in the Night
The red and blue flashing lights of three police cruisers painted the front of the Elmwood Avenue house in a chaotic, rhythmic strobe.
Paramedics had wrapped a warm emergency blanket around Emily’s shoulders, sitting her in the back of an ambulance parked near the curb. She held a cup of warm cocoa in her trembling hands, her eyes wide and exhausted, but safe. Two police officers stood guard by the open back doors, while detectives swarmed the side yard, shining powerful high-beam spotlights toward the back of the property.
David stood near the edge of the lawn, wrapped in a blanket himself, talking in low, urgent tones to a senior detective named Miller.
"He's unconscious in the backyard, near the patio," David said, his voice hoarse from adrenaline and smoke-like cold air. "He confessed, Detective. He admitted that Sarah tried to stop him... and the swimming pool in the back... you need to drain it immediately."
Detective Miller jotted notes down in a small black pad, his expression grim and professional. "We've already dispatched the forensics unit and a dive team, Mr. Miller—ah, Mr. Turner. Mrs. Harris also called 911 right after she saw you jump the fence. We have units securing the entire perimeter."
As if on cue, a commotion arose from the side gate. Two uniformed officers emerged, dragging a handcuffed and groggy Jason between them. His face was bruised, his nose was swollen, and he glared a murderous look toward David before being shoved roughly into the back of a patrol car.
David turned away, walking briskly over to the ambulance where Emily sat. He climbed up into the back, kneeling down so his eyes were level with hers.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" he asked softly, brushing a strand of matted hair away from her forehead.
Emily nodded slowly, taking a small sip of her cocoa. "Is the bad man gone?"
"He's gone, Em. He's never coming back near you again," David promised, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "The police are going to take care of everything now."
"Will... will Mommy come back?" Emily asked, her voice cracking with a heartbreaking, fragile hope that shattered David's composure all over again.
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David closed his eyes, swallowing the massive lump in his throat. He couldn't lie to her, not anymore. But he couldn't break her heart completely, either.
"Mommy was very brave, Emily," David whispered, his voice thick with tears. "She tried to protect you. And we're going to make sure the truth comes out."
