Chapter 4 - The Investigation Begins
While Daniel remained at the hospital with Sophie, Detective Vance dispatched a team of forensic investigators to the Carter estate.
Back at the mansion, Claudia was frantically pacing the living room, a half-empty bottle of wine sitting on the coffee table. Her perfect world was collapsing around her ears. Her original plan—to claim it was a simple, tragic mistake caused by pregnancy brain or severe stress—was unraveling fast because of that miserable maid.
She took a long sip of wine, her hands shaking violently. I need to destroy the evidence, she thought hysterically. The security cameras!
The mansion was equipped with a state-of-the-art surveillance system installed by Daniel's tech firm. High-definition cameras monitored every angle of the grounds, including the front driveway. Claudia ran down the hallway toward Daniel’s private study, where the main security server was locked inside a closet.
She retrieved the master key from Daniel’s desk drawer, unlocked the server cabinet, and reached for the power cable to pull it out.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you, Mrs. Carter."
Claudia gasped, spinning around. Standing in the doorway of the study were Detective Vance and two uniformed police officers.
"What is the meaning of this?" Claudia demanded, pulling herself up to her full height, attempting to project her usual air of upper-class authority. "This is private property! You have no right to enter my home!"
"Actually, we have a search warrant signed by a magistrate fifteen minutes ago," Detective Vance said calmly, stepping into the room and holding up a official document. "And considering you were just caught attempting to tamper with electronic evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation, I suggest you step away from the server."
"Tampering?" Claudia scoffed nervously, forcing a laugh. "I was simply turning off the system! It was making a strange humming noise and giving me a headache. This whole situation is an insane misunderstanding! My husband is hysterical, and our maid is mentally unstable!"
"We'll let the evidence decide that," Vance replied. He gestured to a forensic technician behind him. "Download the footage from the last twelve hours. All exterior and interior angles."
"You can't do this!" Claudia screamed, her composure finally breaking into ugly panic. "I am Daniel Carter's wife! I run charity boards! I have influence in this city!"
"Right now, Mrs. Carter, you are a person of interest in an attempted felony child endangerment and attempted murder investigation," Vance said sternly. "You are coming with us to the precinct for questioning."
"I am not going anywhere with you!" she yelled, backing away toward the window.
One of the female officers stepped forward, grabbed Claudia's wrists with expert efficiency, and clicked a pair of cold steel handcuffs around her wrists.
"Claudia Carter, you have the right to remain silent," the officer recited smoothly. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law..."
"Get your filthy hands off me!" Claudia shrieked, kicking her heels as she was dragged down the hallway. "Daniel! Call my lawyer! Daniel!"
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, the sun began to rise over the city skyline, casting a warm golden glow through the windows of Sophie's room.
Daniel was sitting beside the bed, holding his daughter's tiny hand, when he felt her fingers twitch slightly.
"Sophie?" Daniel whispered, instantly leaning forward.
Sophie’s eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked around the bright white room, confusion swimming in her big brown eyes, before her gaze landed on her father.
"Daddy?" her voice was a tiny, raspy whisper.
"I'm here, sweetie. Daddy's right here," Daniel sobbed, tears finally breaking through his hard exterior as he kissed her forehead repeatedly. "You're safe now. You're in the hospital, and you're going to be completely okay."
Sophie blinked slowly, her breath hitching as memory returned to her. "Daddy... the car... it was so hot. I couldn't open the door."
"I know, baby. I know. I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner."
Sophie turned her head slightly and saw Elena sitting on the chair nearby, watching her with tear-filled eyes. A small, faint smile appeared on the little girl's face.
"Elena..." Sophie whimpered softly, reaching out her other small hand. "Elena came. She tried to open the door. She yelled for help."
Elena walked over to the bed, dropping to her knees, and gently took Sophie's small hand in hers. "I'm right here, Miss Sophie. You're safe now, my darling."
"Where is Claudia?" Sophie asked nervously, her little body trembling slightly at the mention of the name. "Is she going to lock me in my room again?"
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Daniel exchange a dark, resolute look with Elena. He squeezed Sophie's hand gently, leaning down so his face was level with hers.
"No, Sophie," Daniel said firmly, his tone full of absolute promise. "Claudia is gone. She is never, ever going to hurt you or come near you again. Daddy promises you."
