Heavy boots thudded against the hardwood floors outside the bathroom. The door swung open violently, hitting the wall with a loud bang. David, a tall American man in a tailor-made navy suit, stepped through the frame. His face was pale, his jaw set tight with anger. Right behind him stood two uniformed Dallas police officers, their hands resting comfortably near their belts. David held a sleek black tablet in his left hand, the screen glowing brightly with a paused video feed.
David: Police! Don't even move, Brenda!
Brenda: David! Oh thank God you are home! Arrest this maid right now! She attacked me!
Brenda splashed inside the tub, trying frantically to climb out onto the tile floor. Her wet silk robe dripped soap and water everywhere, making her look completely wild. She pointed her wet arm straight at Maria, who was still holding the child near the double vanity. Maya heard her father's voice and instantly let go of Maria's uniform. She ran across the slick floor as fast as her small legs could take her, launching herself straight into David's open arms.
Maya: Daddy! Daddy! She hurt me! She burned my hair with the iron!
David: I know, baby girl. I saw everything. You are safe now.
David scooped Maya up into his arms, lifting her high off the wet floor. He held her close against his chest, feeling her tiny body chest shaking with heavy sobs. His dark blue suit jacket became wet from her tears, but he did not care at all. He rubbed her back with one big hand while his glare locked onto his wet wife in the tub. The two police officers stepped past David, positioning themselves on either side of the bathtub so Brenda could not escape.
Brenda: David, she is lying! I was just styling her hair for the charity gala today! I slipped!
David: Do not lie to me anymore, Brenda! I watched the whole thing on the security camera feed on my phone!
David turned the tablet around so Brenda could see the screen clearly. On the high-definition display, a clear video was playing. It showed Brenda holding the burning flat iron directly against Maya's scalp while the child begged her to stop. It clearly captured Maria running in to save the girl and Brenda losing her balance into the water. Brenda froze, her face turning completely white as all the color drained away. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
Brenda: That... that video is taken out of context! You know how stubborn she can be!
Maria: She has been doing this for months, sir. Every time you leave town for business, she hurts her.
David: Is this true, Maria? You knew about this before today?
Maria: I found bruises on her arms last month, Mr. Davis. But Brenda threatened to fire me and call immigration on my family if I said a word to you.
David turned his eyes down to his small daughter, who was still hiding her face in his neck. The guilt hit him like a heavy fist to the stomach. He had spent the last year working long hours at his investment firm, leaving his daughter home alone with a woman he thought loved them. He trusted Brenda with his home, his heart, and his inheritance. Now, seeing the red mark on Maya's scalp, a dark rage filled his chest.
David: You threatened my staff to cover up child abuse in my own house?
Brenda: David, please! I was stressed! I was just trying to teach her some proper discipline!
David: Discipline? She is eight years old! You are a monster!
The male police officer pulled a pair of heavy steel handcuffs from his utility belt. The metallic clicking sound echoed loudly off the hard bathroom walls, making Brenda shrink back into the water.