Sirens wailed in the distance, and Ronnie sighed in relief. Dot needed care right away.

EMS arrived and hurried to Dot's side. They checked her vitals, cleaned the cut on her cheek, and bandaged her head. Dot groaned as they lifted her onto the gurney but then lapsed back into unconsciousness. They pushed her out and into the ambulance and headed for the hospital.

Ronnie retrieved her spool of yellow crime scene tape and began threading it around the diner, using poles and ...