Chapter 2 - The Compromised Hospital
Daniel ignored the radio dispatch and pushed the heavy metal doors open.
He helped the paramedics load the stretcher into the back of the waiting ambulance.
He climbed inside with Emma, determined to protect these children at all costs.
"Drive to Memorial Hospital, but do not turn on your location tracker," Daniel ordered the driver.
The driver looked confused but followed the stern command of a uniformed police officer.
The ambulance sped away through the rainy streets, leaving Michael pounding on the station doors.
Inside the vehicle, Olivia's breathing became dangerously shallow and incredibly raspy.
Emma sat perfectly still, holding her twin sister's cold hand with silent tears in her eyes.
"What exactly did he make her swallow?" the paramedic asked frantically while preparing an oxygen mask.
"I do not know, but I have the empty syringe secured right here," Daniel replied.
They arrived at the emergency room bay within eight terrifying minutes.
A team of nurses rushed out to transfer Olivia to a critical trauma bay.
Daniel stayed close to Emma, keeping his hand near his holstered weapon.
An older doctor in a white coat approached them with a clipboard in his hand.
"I need to examine the girl, but you must wait outside the curtain," the doctor insisted.
Daniel refused to step back and held up his police badge for the doctor to see.
"I am staying right here as this is now an active criminal investigation."
The doctor frowned deeply but began to draw a sample of Olivia's blood.
Daniel handed the sealed evidence envelope to a trusted lab technician he knew personally.
He asked her to run a rush toxicology screen on the residual fluid inside the syringe.
Ten minutes later, the technician returned with a completely pale and terrified face.
"This is not a prescribed medication," the technician whispered nervously.
"It is a highly restricted experimental paralytic used exclusively in military research."
Daniel felt a cold chill run down his spine as the reality of the situation set in.
Before he could ask any more questions, the older doctor pulled out his cell phone.
Daniel watched the doctor dial a number and speak in a hushed, urgent tone.
"Yes, Dr. Carter, they are in Trauma Room Three right now."
The hospital staff was actively working with the man who had poisoned the child.
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Emma tugged on Daniel's uniform sleeve and pointed toward the emergency room entrance.
Michael Carter was walking through the automatic sliding doors accompanied by four armed private security guards.
