Bright red and blue lights flashed through the tall glass windows of the front entrance as two Dallas police cruisers pulled up the long driveway. Heavy boots marched up the porch steps, followed by a loud, authoritative knock on the double doors.
David: Emily, stay on the couch with your sister. I'll get the door.
David opened the heavy front doors, revealing Detective Miller and Arthur Vance standing on the porch. Two uniformed officers stepped inside behind them, their hands resting on their gear belts.
Detective Miller: Mr. Sterling? Where is the child?
David: She's on the sofa in the living room, Detective. She has a high fever and severe dehydration. I need paramedics here right now.
Detective Miller: Officer Davis, radio for an ambulance immediately!
Arthur: David, where is Victoria?
David: She's standing right over there in the hallway.
Victoria backed away toward the grand staircase, her hands raised defensively as the two officers stepped into the foyer.
Victoria: Officers, listen to me! This is a private family matter! My husband is making up false claims to win a divorce settlement!
Detective Miller: Mrs. Sterling, step away from the stairs and place your hands behind your back.
Victoria: You can't arrest me! Do you know who my family is in this city?
Arthur: I know exactly who you are, Victoria. And I have already submitted the security footage from the gatehouse showing you bringing Lily onto this property three weeks ago.
Victoria: The gatehouse camera... you monitored my entry records?
Arthur: I monitor all estate activity as the court-appointed trustee. You brought a ten-year-old child onto the grounds on the 12th, and she never left.
Detective Miller: Put your hands behind your back, ma'am. You're under arrest for felony child endangerment, unlawful restraint, and grand larceny fraud.
The female officer stepped forward, grabbing Victoria's wrists and snapping the stainless steel handcuffs around her hands with two sharp metallic clicks. Victoria shrieked in rage, struggling against the restraint as she was escorted through the foyer.
Victoria: David! Tell them to stop! You're destroying our family name!
David: You destroyed yourself, Victoria. Take her away.
The front doors slammed shut as the officers led Victoria down the driveway, her frantic screams fading into the cool evening air.