Chapter 5 - Sophie Did Escape The Fire
A firefighter found an open loading-bay gap after part of the door collapsed.
Sophie crawled out through smoke.
She made it behind a retaining wall before losing consciousness.
A passing truck driver found her later that night.
Severe burns covered one shoulder and part of her back.
She had a head injury.
No identification.
The truck driver took her to a small emergency department across the state line after road closures diverted traffic.
She gave the name “Sophie.”
Nothing else.
Then she deteriorated.
Brain swelling.
Confusion.
Weeks of fragmented memory.
She was eventually transferred to rehabilitation under an unidentified-patient process.
By the time she could remember enough to search for us, she saw an online memorial page.
SOPHIE CROSS — BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER.
Then she found an article quoting me.
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Authorities believe the rear-door damage resulted from fire conditions. We have no reason to suspect foul play.
Sophie thought I had helped bury the truth.
