Chapter 4 - Officer Ruiz Begins The Interrogation
The heavy glass doors of Treatment Room Four slid open again, admitting Officer Elena Ruiz with a calm, professional demeanor. She held a black notepad in one hand, her sharp eyes scanning the three of us with practiced investigative precision.
“Dr. Whitaker,” Officer Ruiz nodded respectfully in my direction before turning to face my parents-in-law. “Are these the individuals responsible for locking the child out of the residence during a severe weather emergency?”
“Yes, Officer,” I answered clearly, keeping my eyes locked on Arthur and Margaret. “They are Arthur and Margaret Whitaker, the legal guardians who abandoned my son in freezing conditions.”
Arthur bristled instantly, stepping forward with his chest puffed out despite his advanced age. “Listen here, Officer, I am a prominent taxpayer in this county, and this is a private family disciplinary matter!”
Officer Ruiz didn't flinch, maintaining her stoic expression as she flipped open her notepad. “Mr. Whitaker, throwing a minor child out into a blizzard without proper winter gear constitutes felony child endangerment and reckless abandonment in the state of Colorado.”
Margaret let out a sharp, pathetic gasp, clutching her chest as her knees buckled slightly. “Felony? Surely you can't be serious! We are respectable members of this community; we sponsor the local hospital charity board!”
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“Which makes your actions even more egregious,” Officer Ruiz stated flatly, reaching for the handcuffs clipped to her duty belt. “Mr. Whitaker, I am placing you under arrest for suspicion of child abuse and reckless endangerment.”
The metal click of the handcuffs echoing in the small hospital room sounded like a gunshot. Arthur stared at the silver steel in absolute disbelief, unable to fathom that his wealth and social status couldn't instantly make the law disappear.
