The distant sound of approaching police sirens echoed through the valley outside.
Eleanor's hand began shaking visibly as she pulled her hand out of her pocket.
She held the small metal housing that contained the tiny digital drive.
Eleanor: You think you can just take everything away from me?
Clara: You took my father away from me when he needed help most.
Mark: Put the drive on the table, Eleanor. It is over.
Eleanor looked at the polished wooden console table standing against the wall.
She placed the tiny silver object down on the glossy surface with bitter reluctance.
Clara stepped forward quickly and picked up the small drive in her trembling fingers.
She held it close to her chest as tears of relief spilled down her cheeks.
Clara: This has all the original bank transfers my father set up for my trust.
Mark: And it proves Eleanor altered the corporate account records after his death.
Eleanor backed into the corner of the landing with her hands held high.
Eleanor: He was going to leave me with nothing after ten years of marriage!
Clara: Because he found out you were secretly draining his business accounts!
Eleanor glared at Clara with pure venom in her dark blue eyes.
Eleanor: I deserved that money more than a daughter who lived miles away!
Mark: Clara was taking care of his medical care while you spent his wealth.
The loud red and blue lights began flashing through the front glass doors down below.
Two city police cars pulled up along the long circular driveway of the estate.
Heavy boots began echoing on the front steps outside the grand double doors.
Mark: They are here to take your official statement now, Eleanor.
Eleanor: You cannot arrest me inside my own private residence!
Mark: This isn't your residence anymore under the terms of the real will.
The front doors opened wide as two armed officers stepped into the marble entry hall.
They looked up at the scene on the staircase with serious and professional eyes.
The floor was still covered in dozens of scattered white pearl beads.
Officer Davis: Is everyone alright in here? We received a call about an assault.
Mark: Officer, the current resident attempted to destroy evidence and attacked Clara.
Eleanor: That is a complete lie! They are trying to steal my estate!
Clara walked down the steps toward the officers while holding the drive securely.
Clara: I have the legal property deed and the stolen drive right here, sir.
Officer Davis walked up the steps to meet Clara halfway on the marble stairs.
He carefully accepted the digital drive and looked up toward Eleanor at the top.
Officer Davis: Ma'am, please step down here slowly with your hands where we can see them.
Eleanor froze in place as she realized her plan had failed completely.
She had lost her grip on the immense fortune she tried so hard to steal.