Paramedic: Her pulse is racing, but her lungs are clear. She’s extremely dehydrated, but she’s going to survive.
Sarah: Please... don't let my boy leave my side.
Uncle Mark: I’m staying right here, Sarah. Toby comes with us in the ambulance.
Grandmother: How could Dr. Vance sign a death certificate without a body in the morgue?
Uncle Mark: Vance is in debt up to his eyes with gambling facilities down south. Richard probably bought his signature for fifty thousand dollars.
Police Officer 1: We already have a unit rolling to Dr. Vance’s clinic right now. If he signed off on a fake death, he’s going to prison for the rest of his life too.
Sarah held Toby’s small hand tightly as the paramedics wheeled her down the center aisle of the chapel[span_43](start_span)[span_43](end_span). The floral arrangements were knocked over, petals scattered across the floor where Richard had been tackled[span_44](start_span)[span_44](end_span).
Sarah: Mark... the paperwork for the house... he made me sign something before he knocked me out.
Uncle Mark: Don't worry about the house or the money right now, Sarah. My divorce lawyer is already on his way to the hospital.
Sarah: He had a co-conspirator. At the funeral home.
Uncle Mark: The director here?
Sarah: Yes... Mr. Henderson. He helped Richard transport the casket inside early this morning before anyone arrived.
Uncle Mark turned his head toward the chapel doors[span_45](start_span)[span_45](end_span). The primary funeral director, Mr. Henderson, was quietly creeping toward the side exit leading to the parking garage[span_46](start_span)[span_46](end_span).
Uncle Mark: Hey! Officer! Don't let that man in the suit get away!
Police Officer 1: Stop right there, sir!
Mr. Henderson panicked and bolted through the exit doors, knocking over a display stand[span_47](start_span)[span_47](end_span). An officer tackled him across the lawn outside, pinning him to the grass[span_48](start_span)[span_48](end_span).
Mr. Henderson: I didn't know she was alive! He paid me twenty grand just to keep the casket sealed! He said it was a private family matter!
Police Officer 1: Save it for your lawyer, pal. You’re facing felony accomplice charges.
Grandmother: My own son... my own son tried to bury his wife alive for a life insurance payout...
Uncle Mark: He’s not your son anymore, Mom. He’s a monster who’s going away forever.
They loaded Sarah into the back of the ambulance, Toby sitting right beside her on the bench seat, holding her fingers[span_49](start_span)[span_49](end_span). The oxygen mask covered her face, but her eyes were bright and clear, fixed entirely on her little boy[span_50](start_span)[span_50](end_span).
Sarah: How did you know, Toby? How did you know I was in there?
Toby: I saw the wooden hammer by the flag. And I remembered what you taught me.
Sarah: What did I teach you?
Toby: You told me if I ever get scared or lost, I have to make as much noise as I can until you find me. I heard you making noise... so I helped you.
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