Chapter 4 - The Diagnosis and the Detective
"Parents of Lily Hutchinson?" Dr. Chen called out.
James and I rushed to her side, completely ignoring Travis, who lingered near the hallway exit.
"How is she, Doctor?" James asked, his voice cracking with desperation.
Dr. Chen pulled down her mask, her expression serious. "Lily has suffered a depressed skull fracture to the parietal bone, along with a moderate epidural hematoma—a collection of blood between the skull and the outer cover of the brain. The impact was severe."
My stomach dropped into a abyss. "Is there brain swelling? Does she need a craniotomy?"
Dr. Chen gave me a sharp, perceptive look. "You have medical knowledge, Mom?"
"Former criminal prosecutor," I managed to say. "Please, give it to us straight."
"We caught the bleeding early," Dr. Chen explained. "Because we began IV mannitol to reduce intracranial pressure immediately, the hematoma hasn't expanded significantly. We do not need to perform emergency surgery tonight, but she is in critical condition in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We are monitoring her vitals around the clock. The next 24 to 48 hours are crucial."
"Can we see her?" James begged.
"One at a time for five minutes," Dr. Chen said gently. "She is currently sedated to keep her brain resting."
As James followed the nurse to the PICU, a tall woman in a dark gray suit approached me from the main corridor. She carried a leather notepad and had a golden detective’s badge clipped to her belt.
"Rebecca Hutchinson?" she asked. "I'm Detective Miller with the Special Victims Unit."
"Detective," I acknowledged, shaking her hand. "Thank you for coming so quickly."
"I've already reviewed the preliminary report from the responding officers," Detective Miller said, leading me toward a quiet alcove in the hallway. "Your father, Gerald Hutchinson, was booked at the 4th Precinct. He's currently refusing to answer questions without an attorney."
"Of course he is," I said bitterly. "He thinks his lawyer friends will make this go away."
"I need your official statement, Rebecca," Detective Miller said, opening her notebook. "And I need to know if you're willing to cooperate with the District Attorney’s office."
"Cooperate?" I looked Detective Miller directly in the eyes. "Detective, I am going to give you a textbook prosecution package. I have video evidence recorded by party guests. I have audio recordings of my brother attempting to intimidate me in this very hospital five minutes ago. I have the medical records, the names of eight eyewitnesses who were standing in the backyard, and my own sworn statement."
Detective Miller’s eyebrows raised slightly. "You're taking a firm stance against your family."
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"Gerald Hutchinson did not just break the law tonight, Detective," I said, my voice echoing down the silent corridor. "He tried to destroy my child. I will not stop until he is convicted, sentenced, and behind bars."
Detective Miller nodded slowly, a look of profound respect crossing her face. "Let's get your recorded statement."
