Sarah: Lily! Oh, my sweet baby! Let me see you!
Sarah collapsed onto her knees, pulling the weeping child into a desperate hug, checking her coat, arms, and neck for any signs of snake fangs or dog scratches.
Lily: Mommy, the big dog saved me?
Sarah: Yes, baby... yes he did. He saved your life.
Mark: Officer, I don't know what to say. I shouted at you. I threatened a lawsuit. I'm so sorry.
Officer Miller: Forget it, man. Your instincts were protecting your child. My job is to protect both of you.
Officer Miller used the long pole to carefully secure the snake, moving it into a heavy-duty containment box kept in the back of his police cruiser.
Mark: How did a venomous snake like that end up in a heavily populated suburban playground? This isn't deep wilderness.
Officer Miller: That's what bothers me, Mark. This park is managed daily by the city council. We had a crew clear these bushes just yesterday.
Sarah: Wait, are you saying someone put it here on purpose?
Officer Miller: Look closely at the ground right where the snake was coiled. See that plastic container with holes drilled in the lid?
Mark stepped closer, his jaw tightening as he noticed a clear plastic reptile tub half-hidden under the dried leaves.
Mark: That didn't wash up in the rain. Someone dropped that here deliberately.
Officer Miller: And there's a shipping label sticker still partially attached to the bottom corner.
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