Chapter 5 - THE BROKEN WHEELCHAIR WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT
Noah’s wheelchair was made by Carter Mobility Systems.
Older model.
One of the units included in Rachel’s original defect concerns.
Emily stared at the serial number when a hospital equipment specialist documented it.
The left wheel assembly had failed.
But not from ordinary wear.
The retaining pin had been removed.
Manually.
Someone disabled it.
Police investigator Mara Chen arrived at the hospital with the fire marshal.
Preliminary origin:
The fire started in the downstairs utility room.
Electrical ignition.
Possibly accidental.
But then they found evidence of an accelerant near a storage cabinet.
Now there were two suspicious events.
A disabled wheelchair.
A fire.
Noah trapped upstairs.
Emily asked Sarah:
“Where was Rachel?”
Sarah’s face changed.
“She was supposed to be home.”
“Supposed to?”
“She left yesterday after receiving a message.”
“What message?”
Sarah handed over her phone.
Rachel had texted:
If Dad finally agrees to talk, maybe this ends.
Emily looked up.
“Dad?”
Sarah nodded.
Thomas Carter.
May you like
Rachel had arranged to meet him.
The day before her house caught fire.
