Within ten minutes, red and blue lights flashed outside the front window.
The quiet neighborhood street filled with the sound of approaching sirens.
Two police officers walked up the paved walkway to the front door.
Mark opened the entrance and welcomed the officers inside.
Officer Miller: Sir, we received a call about domestic distress and fraud?
Mark: Yes, Officer.
Mark handed over the forged papers and the original trust document.
He pointed to the hidden room under the staircase.
Mark: My wife hid these legal documents and physically harmed our children to keep them secret.
Officer Miller turned to his partner and gave a firm nod.
Officer Miller: Ma'am, please step away from the counter and place your hands behind your back.
Eleanor: This is a massive misunderstanding!
Officer Miller: You have the right to remain silent.
The second officer placed silver handcuffs tightly around Eleanor's wrists.
Eleanor wept loudly as she was led toward the front door.
Eleanor: Mark, please don't let them take me away!
Mark: You brought this on yourself the moment you touched Lily and Leo.
The front door shut firmly behind the officers.
Mark stood alone in the bright, quiet hallway for a long moment.
He felt a heavy weight lift off his shoulders completely.
He walked slowly up the stairs to his children's room.
He knocked gently on the white wooden door.
Mark: Kids, it is safe now. You can come out.
The door opened and Leo looked up at his father.
Leo: Is Mommy gone?
Mark: Yes, son. She is gone.
Lily ran forward and wrapped her small arms around Mark's waist.
Mark knelt down and hugged both of his children tightly.