Chapter 6: The Tide Turns
The police SUVs didn't stop at the emergency room entrance. They parked directly in front of the hospital’s main doors, lights flashing, drawing a crowd of onlookers.
From my window on the third floor, I watched as Detective Miller stepped out of the lead vehicle. This time, he wasn't alone. He was flanked by two uniformed officers and a woman in a sharp navy suit carrying a briefcase.
My heart hammered against my ribs. I turned back to the bed. Sophie was starting to stir, her eyelids fluttering as the heavy sedatives finally began to wear off.
"Mommy?" she rasped, her voice tiny and fragile.
I rushed to her side, gently taking her hand. "I'm right here, sweetie. Mommy’s right here."
"Did... did Uncle Preston find his phone?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. The fact that her first thought was about clearing her name, even with nine stitches in her head, broke my heart all over again.
"He did, baby. And everyone knows you didn't take it. The whole world knows you're innocent," I promised, kissing her knuckles.
A sharp knock echoed through the room before the door swung open. Detective Miller stood in the doorway, looking significantly more exhausted than he had the night before. Beside him was the woman in the navy suit.
"Mrs. Hayes," Miller started, removing his hat. "I apologize for the intrusion. This is Assistant District Attorney, Sarah Jenkins."
"I have nothing to say to you, Detective," I said coldly, shielding Sophie from their view. "You told me my hands were tied. You told me the footage didn't exist."
"And I was operating on the evidence I was given at the time," Miller replied, stepping fully into the room. "The general manager of the Whitmore lied to me. Your father lied to me. I've spent the last six hours dealing with the fallout of your... internet post."
ADA Jenkins stepped forward, offering a sympathetic but entirely professional smile. "Evelyn, your video has created a media firestorm. The Mayor's office has received over ten thousand calls this morning demanding accountability. I am here to tell you officially that the Chicago Police Department has opened a full investigation into Preston Hayes for aggravated assault of a minor, and into your father, Arthur Hayes, for bribery and tampering with evidence."
I stared at them. The walls of the hospital room seemed to breathe.
"Have you arrested him?" I demanded.
"We dispatched units to his penthouse thirty minutes ago," Miller said. "But he wasn't there."
"What do you mean he wasn't there?" Panic flared in my chest. "He has endless resources. My father has private jets! You let him get away!"
"He's not running far," Jenkins assured me, opening her briefcase. "His assets have just been frozen pending the investigation. Furthermore, we just received a statement from his new wife, Chloe. She’s filing for annulment and has agreed to testify that Preston planted the phone himself. The wolves are turning on each other, Evelyn. We just need you to come down to the station and give a formal statement."
Before I could answer, my phone vibrated violently on the bedside table. A notification popped up from a major news network.
BREAKING: Vanguard Financial Fires VP Preston Hayes Amid Viral Child Assault Video.
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I looked at the notification, then up at the ADA. A slow, deeply satisfied smile spread across my face.
"I'll give you my statement, Ms. Jenkins," I said. "But I have a flight to catch to New York first. I have an interview to give."
