Within ten minutes, two police cruisers pulled up outside the upscale restaurant.
Officers walked onto the marble patio while Richard argued heatedly with his attorney over the phone.
Officer Miller approached Clara and young Leo with a notepad ready.
Officer Miller: Ma'am, we received a call about a missing person report.
Officer Miller: Can you tell me what happened?
Clara: This boy's mother, Sarah Vance, was taken from her home this morning.
Clara: Her brother Richard here has a massive financial motive to keep her hidden.
Richard marched over to the officers with a dark scowl on his face.
Richard: Officer, this woman is making up insane lies to destroy my reputation!
Richard: This street kid is trying to scam money out of my family business!
Leo: I am not lying, officer!
Leo: A black van pulled up to our cabin in the woods at six this morning!
Leo: Two big men dragged my mom inside while she screamed for me to run!
Officer Miller looked closely at the antique silver watch in Clara's hand.
He noted the intricate family crest and the initials carved on the back panel.
Officer Miller: Kid, did you see the license plate on that black van?
Leo: Yes sir, I wrote the numbers on my arm with a blue pen!
Leo pulled up his dirty sleeve to reveal five numbers scribbled on his skin.
Officer Miller immediately spoke into his shoulder radio transmitter to check the plate.
Officer Miller: Dispatch, run Texas tag Bravo-Seven-Nine-Four-Two right now.
Officer Miller: Check for current location and registered owner name.
A voice crackled back over the radio speaker after thirty tense seconds.
Dispatch: Vehicle is registered to Apex Security Services LLC.
Dispatch: Current GPS ping shows vehicle parked at an abandoned warehouse near North Dock Street.
Clara turned her eyes sharply toward Richard Vance.
Clara: Apex Security is the firm you hire for all your building projects, Richard.
Clara: You paid them to hold your own sister against her will!
Richard's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out of his throat.
He turned around quickly and began walking briskly toward the restaurant exit doors.
Officer Miller: Stop right there, Mr. Vance!
Officer Miller: You are not permitted to leave this location right now!