Framed for Murder
I had to watch with my own eyes as the seven-year-old boy died from an allergic reaction to the wrong medication.
In my last life, the moment Id finished hanging the IV bag, the boys furious family stormed the nurses' station, beating me black and blue.
It was you! You gave him the wrong medicine! You poisoned my grandson!
But it was just a simple glucose drip. Nothing should have gone wrong.
Someone called the cops as my consciousness began to fade. I thought salvation had arrived. Instead, my own brother, a police officer, shoved my face to the ground.
Your fingerprints are on the IV bag, you murderer.
Then Ryan, the medical examiner Id grown up with, presented the autopsy report, pointing a damning finger at me.
Time of death was around 5 a.m., exactly when you were administering the drip.
I had no defense. In the end, the boys enraged family cornered me and beat me to death.
Even as I died, I couldnt understand. Why would the brother who had always doted on me, and the childhood friend who had always protected me, do this?
Then I opened my eyes. I was back in that same night.
1
Caroline, listen. Ambers stomach is killing her. Since youre on the night shift anyway, could you just cover for her?
My brother Alvas warm voice on the phone sent a violent tremor through my body.
My eyes shot to the wall clock. It was 2 a.m.
I stared at the frantic, fluorescent-lit chaos of the nurses' station, and it took a long moment for the reality to sink in. I had been reborn.
Amber, seeing me dazed, gave me a sharp shove, her face a mask of impatience. So, are you going to do it or not? If you say yes, Im out of here. She clutched her stomach theatrically. It hurts so bad, I need to go home and rest. Just remember to change the IV for the patient in bed 6 at 5 a.m.
Last time, Id caved for Alvas sake and agreed to cover for her.
The moment Id reached the patient's bedside, I knew something was wrong. The little boy was almost completely cocooned in his blankets, only his face visible, ghostly pale in the moonlight filtering through the window.
Just as I was about to check on him, Ambers call came through.
Is the new bag up yet? shed asked.
This kid hes sleeping so soundly it doesnt seem right, Id replied, a knot of unease tightening in my gut. Im going to check his vitals first.
Amber had exploded on the other end of the line. Oh, come on! Hes been a terror all day. Hes finally asleep. Are you seriously going to wake him up?
Still, I couldnt shake the feeling of dread. Where are his parents? Why is there no one with him?
Just stop worrying about it! Its not like you even have to find a vein, just switch the bag on the stand. Why are you making such a big deal out of it? Do you have to wake him up just to feel like youve done your job?
I glanced at the label on the new IV bag. It was just glucose, for hydration and energy. My shoulders relaxed. I let my guard down.
That single moment of carelessness cost me everything, branding me with a death I didnt cause.
The next morning, as I was getting ready to clock out, the family from bed 6 had descended on the nurses' station and, without a word, began to tear me apart.
Thats when I learned that the boy, Jacob Vance, had died of anaphylactic shock. And I was the last person to touch his IV.
But Id hung a glucose drip, the same one hed been on for days. He couldnt have been allergic to it.
After it all went down, Amber had shoved all the blame onto me. Caroline was the one who administered the drug. It had nothing to do with me.
I thought for sure that Alva, my brother, and Ryan, my closest friend, would help me uncover the truth.
Instead, my own brother, the cop, pointed me out in a lineup. The fingerprints on the IV bag are Carolines. Shes the killer, no question.
And Ryan, the brilliant M.E., had thrown the autopsy report at my face. The time of death coincides exactly with when you were in his room. What else is there to say?
My words were useless. In the end, the grieving family cornered me outside the police station. And as Alva and Ryan watched on with cold, indifferent eyes, they beat me until I stopped breathing.
Until the very end, I couldnt understand why. Why would the two people I trusted most in the world abandon me to such a fate?
The phantom sting of torn skin and shattered bones still lingered, a ghostly echo in my new body.
Reborn into this life, I would not let that tragedy repeat itself.
2
Alvas anxious voice on the phone pulled me from my dark memories.
Caroline? Are you going to help or not? Just give me a yes or no so I can come pick Amber up.
In my past life, I hadnt noticed his urgency. His haste to have me cover the shift, and later, his haste to convict me. It was as if he was terrified the blame might somehow splash back onto Amber.
Could Alva have been involved from the start?
A chill, colder than any hospital draft, snaked up my spine.
I glanced at Amber out of the corner of my eye. She couldnt hide the panic in her expression. Her eyes kept darting toward Room 302, as if some terrible secret was coiled up in the darkness there.
I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to be steady. No, I cant. I just got back from assisting in the ER, and Im dead on my feet. Besides, I have my own patients to look after. I cant help you.
Amber stared at me, her mouth agape. Shed clearly expected me to fold. Her face flushed a deep, angry red. Seriously? Its just hanging one IV bag! How much effort is that? You wont even do that?
Even Alvas voice turned sharp over the phone. Caroline, its a small favor. Does all the affection Ive shown you over the years mean nothing?
I was done arguing. I hung up and went back to my duties.
Amber rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. So cheap. Knew I couldnt count on you for anything.
Last time, Id helped her without a second thought, and my reward was her pushing me off a cliff.
She could find someone else to take the fall.
Amber went around the nurses' station, asking one person after another. But her reputation preceded her. She was bossy, arrogant, and constantly trying to ditch her shifts. No one, except the old me, ever wanted to deal with her.
Eventually, her "stomach ache" miraculously subsided. Cursing, she stomped off to the restroom.
Why was she so desperate for someone to cover for her? Could it be that something had already happened to Jacob Vance?
To test my theory, as soon as Amber was gone, I pulled on a pair of gloves and slipped into Room 302.
In the pale moonlight, Jacobs face was a waxen, bloodless white.
I pulled back the blanket to check his temperature. My hand recoiled. I froze, paralyzed by the truth.
His body was already cold. Rigor mortis was setting in. Hed been dead for at least an hour.
Amber had gone in to change his IV at one oclock.
Had she realized back then that shed made a fatal mistake? Was that why she was so desperate to find a scapegoat?
The thought sent a wave of nausea and terror through me.
My first instinct was to report it to the hospital administration immediately.
But I took one step toward the door and stopped. That idea was a death sentence.
If I, with no reason to be here, was found in the room of a deceased patient not under my care, what would happen? With Ambers talent for deflecting blame, would she twist the situation and point the finger at me?
It wasnt a possibility. It was a certainty.
Making sure no one saw me, I fled the room.
It took me a long time, sitting at the nurses' station, for my trembling to subside. As my mind cleared, one critical point slammed into me.
If the patient had died around one in the morning, why did Ryans autopsy report in my past life state the time of death was between five and six?
He was hailed as a prodigy in the medical examiners office, capable of pinpointing a time of death to within the hour. He never made mistakes.
How could a professional of his caliber make such a catastrophic error?
3
A splitting pain shot through the back of my head. I pressed my hands to my temples, but I couldnt make sense of it.
Ryan and I had been inseparable since we were kids. He was my knight in shining armor for so many years. Why would he send me to my death?
I spent the rest of the night focusing on my own work, deliberately ignoring Amber. She paced back and forth at the nurses' station, a caged animal, unable to settle.
As the clock hand crept toward five, I saw her pick up a medical tray and sit down, showing no intention of going to the patient's room. She waited.
She waited until the other nurses were occupied with their own rounds, leaving just the two of us at the station.
She shot me a single, silent glance before finally heading toward Room 302.
Calculating the time, I knew the familys arrival was imminent. I found a discreet corner to hide in and waited.
Soon enough, the same agonizing wails from my past life echoed from Room 302.
My baby, my sweet grandson! Wake up, please, dont scare Grandma!
Son, open your eyes! Look at Mom and Dad! Whats wrong?
My Jacob! The doctor said youd be home in a few days! How could you just be gone? How are we supposed to live without you?
A storm of noise erupted, and the family swarmed the nurses' station like a tidal wave of grief and rage.
Jacobs father, a thick-necked man with a booming voice, demanded to know who the nurse on duty was. Who had administered the last IV?
Amber cowered in a corner, not daring to speak, her eyes frantically searching for me in the chaos.
One of the other nurses, her face pale with fear, pointed a trembling finger at Amber. Bed 6 thats Ambers patient. Shes always been in charge of him.
Before Amber could utter a word, Jacobs father lunged forward and a sickening crack echoed as his fist connected with Ambers eye socket.
She staggered back, and before she could regain her balance, Jacobs mother drove a foot into her stomach.
Caught between them, Amber collapsed to the floor, howling in pain as Jacobs grandmother fell upon her, yanking at her hair with savage force.
It was you! You killed my grandson! I knew there was something wrong with you from the start!
You murderer! I want you to pay with your life! Ill kill you!
Seeing me step out from my hiding place, Ambers bloodied face lit up as if shed seen a savior. She pointed a shaking finger at me and shrieked.
It was my shift, yes, but Caroline was the one who gave him the medicine! It must have been her! She gave him the wrong dose!
In my last life, exhausted from a long night, I was just about to go home when the family cornered me. Faced with their questions, Amber had immediately pointed at me. Caroline was on duty tonight. She administered the IV. It had nothing to do with me.
I never even had a chance to explain before they were on me.
Jacob was only seven years old, their only child. His father looked like a man you didnt cross, his mother was a lawyer, and his grandmother was notoriously unreasonable. The 25-year-old me had stood no chance, a lamb to the slaughter.
This time, Amber wasnt getting away with it.
4
The familys furious gaze shifted to me. I immediately held up my hands.
Dont even try to pin this on me. I did not give him that IV last night, and everyone here can prove it.
The other nurses, seeing an ally, quickly chimed in.
Its true. Amber asked Caroline for help last night, but Caroline said no. Amber was the one who went to the room.
Who says? Amber shrieked, her voice raw and laced with blood. I asked her again later, and she agreed! At five oclock, none of you were here!
Her blood-streaked face, twisted by her screams, was a horrifying sight.
This is a persons life were talking about! Do any of you dare to swear you saw me give that IV? she challenged them. Im telling you, Caroline gave him the wrong medicine and now shes trying to pin it on me to save her own skin!
At the mention of a human life, the other nurses fell silent. No one wanted to get involved.
Seeing the anger in the familys eyes rekindle and turn toward me, I spoke up, my voice clear and firm.
I never went into that room. If you dont believe me, you can check the security cameras.
The hallway camera is broken, Amber shot back, a smug, almost imperceptible smirk playing on her lips. She was holding a winning hand, and she knew it.
Of course. She knew the camera was broken. Thats why she waited until the other nurses were gone. The whole thing was a premeditated setup to frame me.
Jacobs father had lost all patience with our back-and-forth. With a roar, he kicked over a computer monitor at the station, then slammed his fists on the desk.
I dont care! One of you did this, and one of you is going to pay with your life!
Just then, a voice from the crowd shouted, The police are here!
My heart seized. Through the parting crowd, I saw the familiar face of my brother, Alva.
He was here. Finally.
But the moment he saw Amber lying bloodied on the floor, his expression was one of pure shock.
What happened? Why are you the one whos hurt?
Amber clutched her wounds, tears streaming down her face. Alva, it really wasnt me who gave the medicine. You have to believe me, you have to help me.
Something was wrong. The situation had exploded so suddenly, no one had had time to call the police. How did Alva get here so fast? It was as if hed known someone was going to die here tonight.
As I stared at him, my mind reeling with suspicion, he strode forward and slapped me across the face.
The force of it was staggering, my ear rang, the world tilted.
Caroline, he said, his voice a distorted buzz in my ringing ear. He sounded like a complete stranger. Youve disappointed me so much. Since you made this mistake, you need to have the courage to admit it.
Then, he turned to the family, his face transforming into a mask of placating sympathy.
I apologize on Carolines behalf. I hope you can see that shes still young and wont be too hard on her. He paused, letting the words sink in. I will personally arrest her and make sure she faces the full force of the law.
My own brother. Without a shred of investigation, he had just declared me guilty in front of everyone.
At that moment, my heart didn't just feel cold. It felt dead.
5
I clutched my swelling cheek, hot tears streaming down my face.
I didnt do it, I sobbed. Amber did. My fingerprints wont be on the IV bag. Go check. Youll see.
Amber flinched, then looked at me with a wounded expression. Ive already taken a beating for you, and youre still trying to slander me?
Finally, Jacobs mother, the lawyer, stepped forward. Fine. Well let the police conduct a thorough investigation. I want the person who killed my son found, and I want them to pay.
During the agonizing wait for the fingerprint analysis, everyone was on edge. Everyone but me. I was calm, confident. I hadn't touched the bag, so my prints couldn't possibly be on it.
But when the results came back, I was slapped in the face by reality all over again.
Ryan was at the police station, standing by with the detached air of an observer.
Alva held the report, his gaze sweeping over the room before landing squarely on me. The prints on the right side of the IV bag are a confirmed match for Caroline. The evidence is irrefutable.
The moment the words left his mouth, every eye in the room turned to me.
Ryans face was a mask of grim disappointment.
Impossible!
My prints could not be on that bag. Not unless Alva had used his position to forge the evidence. Living in the same house, getting my fingerprints would have been child's play for him. But I had no way to prove it.
And this was the man who prided himself on his integrity, a man who claimed to despise injustice.
In my past life, I was naive enough to believe Id actually done something wrong, that his disappointment in me was justified. I never blamed him for his harshness.
Now I saw the truth. It was a trap he and Amber had set together from the very beginning, and I had walked right into it.
All the memories of his kindness, his brotherly affection, seemed like a cruel joke. When it came down to a choice between me and Amber, I was always the one to be sacrificed.
I didnt need a brother like that.
Just as Jacobs parents were about to erupt, I raised my voice, posing a question.
Hasnt anyone found it strange? When you found Jacob, he already had signs of livor mortis. Does that look like someone who just died? I pressed on. If you calculate the approximate time for lividity to appear, it means he was likely dead before two in the morning. At that time, I was in the ER assisting with a procedure. The surgeons in the operating room can verify my alibi.
If I could prove Jacob died around 2 a.m., then I couldnt have been involved.
If you truly want to find the real killer, I said, my voice ringing with conviction, you should demand a full autopsy. Im sure Jacob, wherever he is, would want the truth to come out so he can rest in peace.
Jacobs parents, their faces etched with grief, fell silent for a long moment before finally nodding. We agree. We want an autopsy.
Amber, looking as if she had been prepared for this all along, exchanged a quick, subtle glance with Ryan. Then lets have the police departments own Ryan, the renowned medical examiner, perform it. Im sure he will uncover the real killer.
6
Jacobs mothers eyes lit up, a flicker of hope in her grief. Is he the one they call the genius M.E.? Good. If hes handling it, I can be at ease. She began to weep again. Finally, well find the monster who killed my boy. Oh, my poor, ill-fated son.
In my past life, I too had been filled with that same hopeful anticipation, only to be sentenced to death by Ryans own report.
I knew this move. I had seen this play before. But I was not the same person I was then.
Seeing my hesitation, Ambers tone turned mocking. Whats wrong, Caroline? Dont tell me youre getting cold feet about the autopsy now. What exactly are you so afraid of?
I looked down at my phone, at the message I had already composed, and hit send.
Then I lifted my head and stared directly into Ryans eyesthe same eyes that once held galaxies, that once held only me. I asked him, my voice earnest and clear, Ryan, with your skills, you will find out the truth. Youll clear my name, wont you?
Ryan adjusted his glasses, his gaze a mixture of sincerity and a subtle, condescending pity. I wont frame an innocent person, Caroline. And I wont let a guilty one walk free.
Fine. This was the last chance I would ever give him. If he failed to grasp it, he would be sealing his own doom.
Okay, I said. I agree to have Ryan perform the autopsy.
While we waited for the results, Alva cornered me. His words were earnest, his tone filled with what sounded like concern.
Caroline, listen to me. Before the autopsy report comes out, you should confess. Youll get a lighter sentence. Medical malpractice leading to death its three years, tops. Even if you go to prison, I can pull some strings, take care of you. When you get out, youll still be our familys little treasure.
Amber stood beside him, nodding eagerly, her face full of anticipation.
In my last life, panicking from my first-ever encounter with a patients death, I had been easily swayed by his words. I was so touched, so stupidly grateful, believing he was looking out for me.
The truth was, I never even made it to sentencing. I was beaten to death by the family right outside the police station.
They just wanted me to be the scapegoat for Amber. They could dream on.
I tilted my head, glanced at Amber, and called out to her. Amber, did you hear that? Nows your chance to confess. Its not too late.
Alva shot up from his chair. What is that attitude? I was telling you to confess! Since when did I ask Amber to take the fall for you?
I spread my hands, shrugging. Once the autopsy report is out, everything will be crystal clear, wont it?
Ambers chest heaved with fury. Fine! We tried to help you, and this is the thanks we get. You clearly dont appreciate my brothers kindness. Go on then. Wait for the consequences of your own actions.
Well see who reaps those consequences.
Two days later, we were all gathered at the police station again.
Ryan, with grave solemnity, unfolded the autopsy report and, with his own finger, pointed at my name.
The time of death was between five and six a.m. The cause of death was an allergic reaction to penicillin. The evidence is conclusive: Caroline injected the wrong drug, leading to fatal anaphylactic shock.
7
The words, a carbon copy of the sentence that condemned me in my past life, crashed down on me like a meteor.
Even though I had prepared for this, the pain was so sharp it stole the air from my lungs.
For Ambers sake, my brother and my childhood friend had both betrayed their professional ethics, conspired to pin a death on me.
Before I was eight, I was the treasure of their world. Alva and Ryan hovered around me constantly, making sure I got the best treats, protecting me from any bullies.
But everything changed the day Amber arrived.
Suddenly, I was the invisible one, the afterthought.
If thats how it was, then I didnt need a brother or a childhood friend anymore.
I was temporarily detained, pending further investigation. But I wasnt worried.
After a couple of quiet days, Jacob Vances family was back at the police station, raising hell, demanding my life and my money.
In my last life, taking advantage of a moment when most of the officers were out on a call, Amber had suggested I go out and apologize to the family in person.
And so, right under the noses of Alva and Ryan, I was beaten to death by the enraged family at the stations entrance.
This time, Amber tried the same trick.
We cant let the family keep making a scene like this, she said to the officers. Why not let Caroline apologize to them face-to-face? It might calm things down. Her underlying meaning was clear: Itll save you, the police department, from further embarrassment.
Anyone with eyes could see her true intention: to let the family kill me, leaving no one to contest the official story.
To my horror, her proposal was met with unanimous agreement from both Alva and Ryan.
Ignoring my protests, they dragged me toward the entrance of the police station.
A wall of large, red-faced men turned to see me, and without a word, they surged forward.
In that split second, as a baseball bat swung towards my head, a sharp voice cut through the chaos.
The person who killed Jacob Vance was not Caroline!
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