THE 911 “ORDER”
At the emergency dispatch center, Sarah picked up the line.
“911, what is your emergency?”
A tiny, trembling voice replied: “I want to order a pizza, please.”
Sarah froze. As a veteran dispatcher, she knew this wasn’t a prank.
Someone is in the room with her, Sarah realized. Her skin prickled with cold sweat.
“Lucy, is there someone in the house with you?” Sarah asked, her voice a calm whisper.
“Pepperoni,” Lucy whispered back. “Please hurry. The pizza man is outside my door.”
Sarah’s fingers flew across the keyboard. She tracked the GPS signal.
“Units 4 and 7, we have a Code Red. Child in distress. Suspected home invasion.”
The police arrived at the Grayson home. The front door was swinging wide open.
Officer Daniel drew his weapon. He smelled the scent of wet earth and something metallic.
He stepped inside. The house was empty.