Chapter 4 - THE SISTER’S DINNER
A housekeeper entered the parlor carrying a warm woolen blanket and a steaming cup of tea.
She draped the blanket over Ru’s shoulders.
“Thank you,” Ru whispered, holding the ceramic mug with both hands.
Before Harland could speak, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway outside.
A tall woman in her late thirties strode into the room.
Elena Voss.
Harland’s older sister.
Her face was pale, her breathing shallow, and her fingers trembling slightly.
“Harland, I heard the alarm,” Elena began, before suddenly clutching her left arm.
Her eyes widened in sudden terror.
“Elena?” Harland moved instantly, catching his sister as her knees buckled.
“My chest,” Elena gasped out, her words slurring.
“It feels like... like fire.”
Dr. Vance dropped his stethoscope, rushing to her side.
“Stroke symptoms!” Dr. Vance shouted, his face draining of color.
“Get the emergency cart!”
Ru set her teacup down on the mahogany table with a sharp clink.
She stepped forward, crossing the room in two strides.
“Put her flat on the floor,” Ru commanded.
“Are you insane?” Dr. Vance protested.
“Her airway needs to be cleared immediately!” Ru’s voice cracked with absolute authority.
“Look at her left eyelid! It’s dropping!”
Harland looked at his sister, then at Ru.
Without a second thought, Harland gently lowered Elena onto the Persian rug.
“Do it,” Harland ordered Dr. Vance.
Ru knelt beside Elena, tilting her head back to open her airway.
Her nursing training took over every nerve and muscle.
“Bring me an oxygen mask from the doctor’s kit now!” Ru demanded.
Dr. Vance fumbled with his case and handed it over.
Ru secured the mask over Elena’s face, monitoring her pulse against her carotid artery.
“Her pulse is racing,” Ru said, her eyes locked on Elena’s pale features.
“This wasn't a natural stroke.”
Harland froze.
“What did you say?”
“People don't suffer acute ischemic strokes with these specific neurological markers unless…”
Ru paused, sniffing the air near Elena’s collar.
May you like
“Unless what?” Harland’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
“Unless they ingested something toxic.”
