Mark: A tracking collar? Are you saying someone brought a wild lion here on purpose?
Officer Miller: Look closely at the leather strap around its neck, Mark. That's custom military-grade GPS equipment. This wasn't an accident.
Sarah: Who would keep something so dangerous right next to a public children's park?
Officer Davis: Miller, we just ran the serial code on that collar. It traces directly to the Blackwood Estate on the ridge overlooking the park.
Officer Miller: Arthur Blackwood? The wealthy real estate developer?
Officer Davis: The very same. His lawyers are already on the phone claiming someone breached his private exotic sanctuary and released the animal intentionally.
Mark: That's absurd! He lives half a mile away! His negligence almost got my daughter killed!
Sarah: We need to file a lawsuit immediately, Mark. That man has millions, and he thinks he can keep dangerous beasts near families!
Officer Miller: I suggest you speak with a good personal injury lawyer, sir. But off the record... Blackwood's security team is already here.
Mark turned around to see two sleek black SUVs pull up alongside the police cruisers. A man in a high-end tailored suit stepped out, flanked by two private security guards wearing dark sunglasses.
Arthur Blackwood: Officers, I trust the situation has been handled gracefully?
Officer Miller: Gracefully? Mr. Blackwood, your illegal predator nearly slaughtered a two-year-old child today!
Arthur Blackwood: Let us not jump to dramatic conclusions, Officer. As my legal counsel has stated, my sanctuary perimeter was sabotaged. I am the victim of a felony crime here.
Mark: Victim?! You almost lost a child to your sick rich-man trophy collection!
Arthur Blackwood: Watch your tone, young man. You don't know who you are speaking to in this town.
Sarah: We know exactly who you are! A careless billionaire who puts little children in danger!
Arthur Blackwood: My legal team will offer your family a generous settlement of fifty thousand dollars for your stress today. In exchange, you sign a non-disclosure agreement and walk away.
Mark: Keep your blood money! You can't buy your way out of this!
Arthur Blackwood: Fifty thousand is more money than you make in a year, son. Take it, or my attorneys will tie you up in court until you go bankrupt from legal fees.
Officer Miller: Mr. Blackwood, step back from the victims right now, or I will arrest you for witness intimidation.
Arthur Blackwood: On what charge, Officer? You have no proof of negligence on my part. The collar was tampered with.
Duke suddenly stood up and let out a deep, menacing growl aimed directly at Arthur Blackwood's chief security guard. The guard flinched, reaching nervously inside his jacket.
Officer Miller: Hand away from your coat! Show me your hands right now!
Security Guard: I'm just reaching for my phone, Officer!
Mark: Look at his jacket pocket! There's a remote device sticking out!
Officer Miller stepped forward rapidly and snatched the black electronic device right out of the security guard's hand.
Officer Miller: What is this? This is a short-range collar release transmitter!
Arthur Blackwood: That is private property! You have no warrant to seize that!
Officer Miller: I don't need a warrant when it's in plain sight during an active crime scene investigation! You didn't get sabotaged... you released the mountain lion on purpose!
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