I carried Lily back into the front hall as red and blue lights swept across the living room ceiling.

The screen door banged open against the siding, and two paramedics in dark utility pants hurried in carrying an orange trauma kit and a folding cot.

Behind them came a Chesapeake patrol officer with a silver shield pinned over his left pocket.

His nameplate read Marcus.

His face was weathered, and his graying hair was cut in a high military fade.

“Captain Miller?” Marcus asked, his eyes taking in my dress uniform before dropping to the frail bundle in my arms.