Mark adjusted Leo in his arms so the baby felt safe.
He pointed his hand toward the high curved ceiling above them.
Mounted high on the crown molding was a black glass dome camera.
Mark: You thought you turned off those cameras above us?
Victoria's smile froze completely on her pale face.
She looked up at the ceiling in sudden realization.
Mark: Every single move you made today was recorded live!
A tiny green light on the camera body glowed steadily.
The high-definition lens tilted slightly with a faint hum.
Victoria gasped as her eyes widened in pure horror.
Victoria: That system was disconnected last week by the technicians!
Mark: I reconnected the cloud backup system two days ago.
Mark: It streams directly to my phone and my lawyer's office.
Victoria's hands began to shake uncontrollably at her sides.
She backed away toward the fireplace with growing fear.
Victoria: You are bluffing to scare me, Mark!
Mark pulled his smartphone out of his jacket pocket smoothly.
He tapped the screen twice and held it out toward her.
The video screen showed clear footage of Victoria entering the room.
It showed her pushing the stroller and scolding little Leo.
It captured her voice clearly as she admitted to forging papers.
Mark: Audio and high-definition video, Victoria.
Mark: The police are already watching this live feed right now.
Victoria placed a trembling hand over her mouth in shock.
The reality of her ruined life crashed down on her at once.
Victoria: Mark, please, we are family, we can negotiate!
Mark: You showed no mercy to my child.
Mark: You will get no mercy from me or the law.
Maria stood tall near the doorway as siren sounds echoed outside.
The red and blue lights flashed through the tall windows.