Chapter 10: The Race Against Time**
David zoomed in on the high-definition footage. The date stamp was crisp, the audio feed captured the distinctive scrape of the mortar and pestle, and Eleanor’s face was fully illuminated under the kitchen island light.
""This is second-degree attempted murder on camera,"" Gary said, his jaw dropped. ""Let’s take it to the sheriff right now.""
David was about to grab the hard drive when his phone chimed with an automated alert from the smart-thermostat app connected to his house.
*Alert: Master bedroom temperature increased to 76°F. Front door locked remotely.*
Below the alert was a text message from an unknown burner number:
*‘Poor little Emma developed a sudden fever tonight, David. Her heart is beating so fast. I called an ambulance, but with the storm rolling in, who knows if they’ll make it in time? Such a shame she inherited her mother’s weak constitution.’*
David dropped the phone. Eleanor knew the police would eventually re-examine the case with Dr. Reed pushing for an investigation. She wasn't waiting forty-eight hours for the court hearing. She was ending Emma's life tonight, staging it as a sudden, tragic medical emergency before anyone could intervene.
""Gary, call Deputy Miller! Send him the video files right now!"" David yelled, sprinting toward his truck.
""Dave, wait! You violate the restraining order and they’ll shoot you!"" Gary yelled after him.
""I don't care!"" David roared, slamming the truck into gear. ""She's killing my daughter!""
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Outside, the sky opened up into a torrential downpour, rain lashing against the windshield like sheets of glass.
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