Chapter 4 - The Audio Plays
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Dr. Scott carefully sealed the coin-sized recorder inside a clear plastic evidence bag and handed it directly to Officer Thompson.
"This came off the victim's body," Dr. Scott said, staring pointedly at Beckett. "I suggest you secure it immediately."
Beckett took a subtle step backward toward the ER exit doors. "Officer, this is ridiculous. My wife is a software engineer. She plays paranoid games. That device could contain anything—"
"Sir, do not move," Officer Thompson commanded, his hand resting instinctively on his utility belt.
Before Beckett could argue, the automatic doors at the end of the hallway slid open. A woman in a tailored navy suit strode into the hallway, carrying a sleek black laptop under her arm.
It was Claire Morgan, my lead corporate counsel.
"Officer," Claire said, her voice cutting through the clinical chaos of the ER with practiced authority. "I am Sarah's legal representative. Forty minutes ago, an automated security protocol triggered on our firm's private server. I am authorized to oversee the extraction of that evidence."
Mary stepped forward, her face contorted with rage. "This is a private family matter! Who invited this woman into my son's life?"
Claire ignored Mary completely. She pulled a high-speed card reader from her briefcase, connected the micro-recorder to her laptop, and pressed play on the master audio track.
Officer Thompson, Dr. Scott, and two nearby nurses stood in absolute silence as the speakers came to life.
The crackle of dinner plates filled the room. Then, Mary's voice echoed through the hallway, crystal clear: “She’s resisting the trust transfer, Beckett. You need to stop being soft with her.”
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Next came my voice, weak and raspy: “Why were you accessing my company’s master legal files, Beckett?”
A chair scraped violently against hardwood. Then came the chilling sound of Beckett's voice: “You should have signed the papers, Sarah.”
