“Anything before she fell?”
The witness swallowed.
“She looked confused.”
“How long from stumble to collapse?”
“Maybe five seconds.”
“Any seizure movement?”
“I don’t think so.”
The doctor nodded.
Useful.
He turned toward the paramedic.
“Could still be primary cardiac.”
“Agreed.”
The monitor beeped.
Rhythm check.
Still ventricular fibrillation.
“Charging.”
Second shock.
Clear.
The woman’s body moved.
Compressions resumed.
The doctor watched the chest.
“Depth good.”
The lead officer stood outside the immediate circle now.
His hands had fallen to his sides.
Nobody needed him.
That seemed to disturb him.
He looked around.
Several runners were staring at him.
One had a phone raised.
Recording.
The officer noticed.
His posture changed.
“Put the phone away.”
The runner frowned.
“I’m standing on a public path.”
“This is a medical emergency.”
“I’m not blocking them.”
The officer looked toward him.
The younger officer stepped between them.
“Let it go.”
The lead officer turned.
“What?”
“Leave him.”
There was something new in the younger officer’s voice.
Not defiance exactly.
Boundary.
The lead officer recognized it.
His face tightened.
Before he could respond, the senior paramedic shouted:
“Pulse check.”
Everyone near the woman stopped moving.
Fingers against carotid artery.
Two seconds.
Three.
The paramedic looked at the doctor.
“I’ve got something.”
The Black doctor immediately leaned closer.
“Rate?”
“Slow.”
The monitor displayed a narrow complex rhythm.
The woman’s chest did not rise on its own.
“Ventilate.”
The paramedic’s partner took over airway support.
The Black doctor checked pupils.
Then listened.
“Transport now.”
The paramedic nodded.
They moved efficiently.
Backboard.
Stretcher.
Monitor cables.
Bag-valve mask.
Oxygen.
Every action practiced enough to look almost calm.
The Black doctor stood only after the woman was secured.
The senior paramedic turned to him.
“You coming?”
“Yes.”
The lead officer finally spoke.
“Hold on.”
Nobody looked at him.
He stepped closer.
“I still need statements.”
The Black doctor stared.
The officer continued.
“There was an incident here.”
The doctor looked at his own torn collar.
Then at the officer.
“Yes.”
“There was.”
The paramedic stepped between them.
“Doctor, ambulance.”
The doctor nodded.
Then looked at the younger officer.
“You have body cameras?”