Police officers filled the wide foyer within minutes of the urgent call.
Claire stood weeping near the upper hallway while officers guarded the stairs.
Richard held his crying son close while medical personnel checked the infant.
The paramedic confirmed that little Leo had suffered no serious injuries from the fall.
Richard let out a long breath of relief, but his anger remained sharp.
He looked toward Detective Miller who was taking notes in a small black book.
Detective Miller: Mr. Sterling, we need to understand exactly what occurred here today.
Richard: Ask my wife and the house maid who was right at the bottom.
Elena stepped forward cautiously, wiping tears from her cheeks with a tissue.
Elena: I was cleaning the baseboards right under the staircase landing, sir.
Elena: I saw Mrs. Sterling walk up to the stroller with a strange look.
Elena: Then she released the brake handle and shoved it right toward the steps.
Claire gasped loudly from the top of the grand stairs down to the officers.
Claire: That is an absolute lie! I was reaching for his fallen blanket!
Claire: The wheel lock failed when I accidentally bumped the back bar!
Detective Miller: Ma'am, please stay where you are until we examine the scene.
Richard walked toward the bottom of the steps, looking up at his wife coldly.
Richard: How could you be so careless with our baby, Claire?
Claire: You know how much I love this child, Richard! Please trust me!
Elena: She has been acting distant all week, Mr. Sterling. You saw it too.
Richard remembered the small arguments they had over their large trust fund assets recently.
Doubt began to creep into his heart as he looked between the two women.
Claire had been feeling overwhelmed with the demands of managing the estate lately.
She had mentioned wanting to take a long break away from the city.
Richard: Detective, I want a full investigation into everything that happened today.
Detective Miller: We will inspect the stroller mechanism and interview everyone thoroughly.
Claire covered her face with both hands, sobbing silently against the upstairs wall.
The officers guided her down the stairs gently to take her official statement.
Elena offered to prepare some warm tea for Richard in the kitchen area.
Richard sat down in the living room, feeling like his entire life was fracturing.
He needed to protect his son above everything else in this world.
Yet deep down, a quiet feeling told him something was still missing.