Chapter 6
Officer Miller’s gaze dropped briefly to Arthur’s jacket pocket, where the dark silhouette of the smartphone was visible against the denim fabric. The older policeman’s expression remained neutral, neither accepting nor dismissing the explanation. In small towns like this, history mattered, and Miller had known the family for twenty years, watching David and Sarah grow from messy-haired kids playing in the front yard into adults grappling with the heavy, unyielding machinery of modern life.
"I’m going to need to look at that phone, Arthur," Miller said quietly, holding out an open palm. "Standard procedure for any unattended medical call involving suspected self-harm. We need to verify if there were outgoing messages, final texts, or anyone else involved who might need to be notified or questioned."
Arthur hesitated for a fraction of a second, his fingers tightening around the device inside his pocket. For a man who valued privacy above almost everything else, handing a family member’s personal communication device over to law enforcement felt like a profound betrayal of trust. Yet, he also knew that refusing would instantly elevate suspicion from a routine welfare check to a criminal investigation. With a slow, deliberate movement, Arthur pulled the phone from his jacket and placed it directly into Miller’s waiting hand.
"It’s locked," Arthur said tersely. "Sarah uses a six-digit passcode. We don't know what it is."
Miller pressed the power button, watching the screen illuminate with a stark blue glow before requesting the security code. He looked up at David, his eyebrows raised in silent inquiry. "You her brother? You must know her birthday, important dates. People usually use something predictable for these things."
David shook his head, feeling the trap closing tighter around him. "I tried her birthday on the drive over when it first happened. It didn't work. She changed it a few months ago after her online accounts were compromised. She’s intensely private about her digital security."
Miller studied the locked interface for another moment before slipping the phone into a small evidence bag he unclipped from his belt. "Well, our cyber unit downtown can bypass standard encryption if we have the proper consent forms signed by next of kin. Since Arthur is her father, that shouldn't be an issue. But until we know what's on that device, I have to treat this scene with a certain degree of protocol."
From down the hallway, the sound of heavy boots and clipped medical jargon indicated the EMTs were preparing to move the patient. A stretcher creaked as its wheels locked into position. The leading paramedic appeared in the doorway, her face grim beneath the harsh overhead lighting.
"Officer Miller, we’ve got her stable enough for transport, but her vitals are still dangerously depressed. We’re heading to Mercy General immediately. One of you needs to follow us in your own vehicle to sign the intake paperwork."
Arthur nodded immediately. "I'll go. My truck is right behind the ambulance."
May you like
Miller stepped aside, allowing the medical team to maneuver the rolling gurney down the narrow hallway, guiding it carefully past the living room sofa and out the front door into the flashing red glare of the night.
***
