Chapter 8: The Counter-Strike
Down the hallway, the elevator dinged cheerfully, and the doors slid open to reveal Dr. Sterling—a tall, imposing woman in a crisp white lab coat with silver-streaked hair tied back in a professional bun. She strode purposefully down the linoleum corridor, holding a thick manila folder stamped with the hospital’s official seal.
Detective Miller turned away from the door of Room 214 as the doctor approached, flashing his gold badge with practiced ease. “Detective Miller, PD. I need you to stand aside, Doctor. There’s an emergency welfare situation inside this room.”
Dr. Sterling didn’t even break her stride. She looked down at the badge with mild, unconcealed irritation before fixing her piercing gaze on the detective. “Dr. Elizabeth Sterling, Chief of Obstetrics. And in this hospital, my medical protocols supersede your informal inquiries, Detective. Especially when those inquiries originate from a known corporate lobbyist attempting an illegal child abduction via administrative loophole.”
The detective’s face flushed slightly beneath his weathered skin. “Watch your step, Doctor. I’m executing a preliminary welfare check based on an official complaint filed by Elena Sterling.”
“Elena Sterling doesn’t practice medicine, and she certainly doesn’t write hospital policy,” Dr. Sterling snapped back, stopping directly in front of the door of Room 214. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a master electronic key card, and pressed it against the digital scanner with an authoritative beep.
The heavy privacy latch clicked open, and the door swung inward.
Clara sat up straighter in the bed, relief washing over her face as Dr. Sterling stepped into the room, flanked by Thomas Vance and Nurse Marcus. Detective Miller tried to follow closely behind, but Marcus planted herself firmly in the doorway, blocking his entry with her shoulder.
“Detective, stay outside,” Dr. Sterling ordered without looking back, her voice echoing with absolute authority. She walked directly to the side of the hospital bed, her expression softening as she looked down at Clara and the sleeping infant. “Are you and the baby unharmed, Ms. Miller?”
“We’re safe, Doctor,” Clara replied, her voice steady now that she had allies standing between her and the threat outside.
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Dr. Sterling turned her gaze toward the detective lingering in the doorway. She lifted the manila folder, tapping it against her palm. “This is a certified medical evaluation confirming the patient is in perfect mental and physical health, fully capable of caring for her newborn child. Furthermore, the genetic profile of this infant has been independently verified and matched to the maternal record. There is no endangerment, no missing property, and no legal justification for your presence here.”
Detective Miller glared at the doctor, realizing he had overplayed his hand on Elena’s behalf. “This isn’t over,” he muttered, turning on his heel and walking down the hallway.
