The broad steps of the Oak Ridge County Courthouse were crowded with reporters, local citizens, and court officials.
Richard: Get out of my way! I have a hearing in five minutes!
Richard Vance strutted up the granite steps, flanked by two junior attorneys, holding a leather briefcase.
Marcus: Heading somewhere, Vance?
Richard stopped in his tracks as twenty heavy motorcycles pulled up along the courthouse plaza, their engines rumbling like thunder.
Richard: You again? I told you, you have no legal standing in this courtroom!
Big Bear: Actually, Richard, I have full standing. I'm the arresting officer for your accomplice.
Richard: What accomplice? What are you blathering about?
Big Bear: Your brother-in-law Greg gave a full taped confession last night about the forged mortgage documents.
Richard's jaw dropped, and his face turned ghost-white.
Richard: That... that's impossible! Greg wouldn't say anything!
Marcus: Oh, and we also caught your little arsonist friend trying to pour gasoline on Captain Miller's home at two in the morning.
Richard: I... I don't know any arsonist! You're trying to frame me!
Sarah: You tried to kill my son and me for a real estate profit, Vance!
Judge Thompson: What is going on out here on my courthouse steps?
An elderly, distinguished judge in black robes stepped out from the main brass doors, staring down at the crowd.
Big Bear: Judge Thompson, we have severe criminal evidence against attorney Richard Vance regarding real estate fraud and attempted arson against a military family.
Judge Thompson: Is this true, Mr. Vance?
Richard: Your Honor! These gang members are threatening me! They've fabricated wild allegations!
Marcus: Here is the original certified deed stamped by the state archives, Your Honor. Showing Captain Miller's house was paid off eight months ago.
Judge Thompson took the paper from Marcus's hand, placing his reading glasses on his nose. He scanned the document thoroughly.
Judge Thompson: This is a genuine state seal. Mr. Vance, why were you pressing for foreclosure on a property with a clear title?
Richard: It was... an administrative error by the bank, Your Honor!
Judge Thompson: An administrative error doesn't come with an arsonist caught with gas cans at two in the morning. Bailiffs, arrest Richard Vance immediately.
Richard: Wait! Your Honor, please! I can explain everything! Let me call my attorney!
Judge Thompson: You can call whoever you like from the county jail, Mr. Vance. Stripping a fallen soldier's family of their home is an absolute disgrace to this state.
Two armed court bailiffs slapped handcuffs onto Richard Vance's wrists, dragging him away as the crowd on the steps broke into loud applause.
Sarah: It's really over... we won.
Marcus: You never lost, Sarah. You just needed your brother officers to stand beside you.
Toby: Look, Mommy! The bad lawyer is going to jail!
Sarah: Yes, sweetie. He'll never hurt us again.
Judge Thompson: Mrs. Miller, your home title is fully cleared and protected by state order. On behalf of this county, I apologize for the ordeal you've suffered.
Sarah: Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you so much.
The crowd began to disperse, but the most emotional moment of the day was about to happen back on the quiet suburban street under the American flag[cite: 1].