Chapter 4 - The Line Between Blood and Duty
The interrogation room at the Central Precinct was an environment Tyler knew intimately, but sitting across from Detective Sarah Lin felt surreal. He laid out the audio log from his radio, the timestamped GPS data from his patrol vehicle, and the photographs he had taken with his personal phone before the paramedics moved Maya.
"She stated clearly, 'Give me the trust code,'" Tyler recounted, his voice level, stripped of filial affection. "When I made entry, my mother had physical hold of my wife, who was already hemorrhaging on the floor. There was zero provocation. Maya was attacked from behind."
Detective Lin reviewed the preliminary medical report. "The bruising on the victim’s abdomen matches the narrow heel of a designer shoe. We recovered the pumps from the master bedroom closet during the search warrant execution. Forensics found micro-traces of tissue and fabric matching Maya's dress."
"Arrest her," Tyler said simply.
The door opened, and Eleanor’s lead counsel, Arthur Sterling, stepped in. Sterling was an expensive legal shark whose loyalty belonged strictly to the highest retainer.
"Detective, Officer Vance," Sterling said smoothly, sliding a manila folder onto the steel table. "Before anyone makes a career-ending mistake, my client is prepared to establish a generous medical trust for Maya and fund full care for the child. In exchange, this matter remains a private family dispute. A mother and daughter-in-law having an unfortunate misunderstanding."
Tyler stood up, towering over the attorney. The badge pinned to his chest gleamed under the strip lighting.
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"A misunderstanding is an accidental spill, Mr. Sterling," Tyler said, each word deliberate and cold. "Kicking a pregnant woman until her placenta tears is aggravated assault and attempted manslaughter of an unborn child. Take your settlement and walk out of this precinct, or I will personally file tampering charges against you."
Sterling’s polished facade cracked, his eyes darting to Detective Lin, who merely reached for a fresh set of handcuffs from her utility belt.
