Chapter 2 - The Doctor Who Asked Twice
Dr. Marcus Cooper noticed the silence before he noticed the injuries.
Most siblings arriving together after an accident spoke over each other. They argued about what happened, blamed one another, or tried to comfort each other.
Faye and Chloe answered only when addressed directly.
Even then, they looked at Edric before speaking.
Dr. Cooper asked the family to explain the fall.
Edric answered immediately.
“Faye lost her footing near the top. Chloe tried to catch her, and they both went down.”
Marissa nodded.
“Yes. That’s what happened.”
“Did anyone see it?”
Marissa hesitated.
“I heard it.”
Edric turned toward her.
“We both heard it.”
Dr. Cooper noticed the correction.
He examined Faye first. She winced when he touched her shoulder, then apologized for moving.
Children in pain often cried.
Children living in fear often apologized.
He moved to Chloe’s bed and found injuries that looked strangely similar.
“Which side did you fall on?” he asked her.
“My left.”
“Faye says she fell to the right.”
Chloe’s face went blank.
Edric stepped forward.
“They rolled. It happened quickly.”
Dr. Cooper looked at Marissa.
“How many stairs?”
“Twelve,” she answered.
“Fourteen,” Edric said at the same time.
They looked at each other.
Dr. Cooper closed the curtain around the first bed.
“I need to speak with each patient alone.”
Edric’s expression hardened.
“They’re minors.”
“They are also patients. Hospital policy allows confidential assessment when there may be a safety concern.”
“There is no safety concern.”
“That is what I am determining.”
Edric refused to leave.
Dr. Cooper did not argue. He quietly asked a nurse to bring hospital security closer.
When he returned to Faye, he noticed her watching the television mounted on the wall. A comedy show was playing with the sound muted.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the volume symbol.
“Was a television on when you were hurt?” he asked.
Faye stopped breathing for a moment.
Edric answered from behind the curtain.
“No.”
Dr. Cooper did not look at him.
He repeated the question.
“Faye, was a television on?”
She opened her mouth but no words came out.
From the second bed, Chloe began crying.
Edric pulled the curtain aside.
“This interview is over.”
That was when Faye whispered, “He made her turn it up.”
The sentence was quiet.
Its effect was not.
Dr. Cooper moved instantly.
He instructed the nurse to secure the room and activate the emergency protocol for suspected abuse. Security entered before Edric could reach Faye’s bed.
Once the police arrived, Dr. Cooper continued examining the girls while Detective Ortiz separated the adults.
Faye needed imaging and close monitoring. Chloe had fewer immediate medical concerns, but she was shaking so badly that a nurse stayed beside her.
Dr. Cooper assured them they would not be sent home that night.
Chloe looked toward the locked door.
“He has keys to everything,” she said.
May you like
“Not this door,” Dr. Cooper replied.
It was the first promise either girl believed.
