Chapter 6: A Midnight Intruder**
At 2:30 AM, the hospital corridors grew dimly lit and silent, save for the hum of floor polishers in the distant wings. A figure draped in an oversized nurse’s uniform and surgical mask pushed a medication cart down the fourth-floor corridor toward Room 404.
The figure slipped inside, locking the door with a quiet click.
Approaching the bed, the intruder pulled a glass syringe pre-filled with potassium chloride from beneath the tray. With gloved hands, the figure reached for the primary IV port delivering saline to Lily’s arm.
“A second attempt requires remarkable stupidity, Victoria,” a voice spoke from the corner darkness.
The bedside lamp clicked on. Thomas sat there, eyes bloodshot, flanked by two armed State Troopers who stepped out from behind the curtain.
Victoria froze, her mask dropping slightly to reveal wide, wild eyes filled with cornered malice. “Thomas… let me explain. Arthur forced me into this. He threatened me—”
“Save your lies for the grand jury,” Detective Miller stepped out from the adjoining bathroom, his service weapon unholstered. “Drop the syringe on the bed. Put your hands behind your head. Down on your knees!”
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Instead of complying, Victoria lunged toward the IV line with the needle bared. Thomas moved with blinding speed, grabbing her wrist and twisting it until the syringe clattered harmlessly to the linoleum floor. The troopers slammed her against the wall, the metallic click of handcuffs echoing like a gavel.
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