Two days passed quietly in the high-security ward of the city hospital. Mark lay in the center of the white room with his leg elevated. Bandages wrapped his forehead, and intravenous lines ran into his right arm.
The door opened slowly, and Chloe walked into the quiet hospital room. She wore a black dress and brought a vase of fresh yellow flowers. She put on a look of deep shock when she saw him awake.
Chloe: Mark! Oh my goodness, the doctors said you were awake!
Mark: Hey, Chloe. It is good to see you.
Chloe: I was so worried about you every single second of the day!
Mark: The doctors said I was extremely lucky to survive that drop.
Chloe: It truly is a miracle, I thought I lost you forever.
She leaned over the hospital bed to hug him, placing her hand gently on his arm. Mark forced himself not to flinch under her touch as she smiled down. He looked into her eyes with a blank, confused expression on his face.
Mark: Chloe, my head hurts so bad when I try to think back.
Chloe: What do you mean, sweetie? What do you remember?
Mark: I remember walking on the trail, but then everything goes completely dark.
Chloe: You don't remember the photo or falling off the cliff rock?
Mark: No, the doctor said I have severe partial memory loss from the impact.
A subtle wave of relief washed across Chloe’s face before she quickly hid it. She took his hand and held it tight, squeezing it with false warmth. She believed her secret was completely safe because he remembered absolutely nothing at all.
Chloe: That is totally normal after such a terrible, scary accident, Mark.
Mark: Did the police find the smartphone I was holding up there?
Chloe: No, they said it was smashed to pieces down in the valley.
Mark: That is too bad, all our trip photos were on it.
Chloe: Don't worry about pictures right now, you just need to rest up.
Mark nodded slowly, closing his eyes as if he were getting very tired. Chloe sat down in the armchair beside his bed, pulling out her phone. She felt completely victorious, believing the huge estate money was still within her grasp.
What Chloe did not know was that Mark had already spoken to Detective Vance. An hour before she arrived, Mark told the detective every single detail he remembered. He told him about the sudden slip and her terrifying, cold, smiling reaction.
Detective Vance had placed a small recording device hidden inside the bedside table lamp. Every word Chloe said in that hospital room was being transmitted straight to officers. They were laying a careful trap to catch her when she moved for the cash.
Chloe: The lawyer called today about finalizing your father's estate documents.
Mark: What did you tell him about my current hospital condition?
Chloe: I said I could bring the paperwork here for you to sign.
Mark: Okay, bring the papers tomorrow so we can finish everything up.
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