Five minutes later, the flashing red and blue lights of three police cruisers illuminated the long gravel driveway of the estate.
Two armed deputies marched through the glass patio doors, led by Senior Deputy Miller, a stern man with graying hair.
Brandon met them in the living room, holding the tablet computer in his hand while Maria stood nearby, holding a calm, dry Leo.
Deputy Miller: "Mr. Sterling, we received a high-priority call regarding an attempted homicide on a minor."
Brandon: "That's correct, Deputy. My fiancee, Victoria Vance, intentionally pushed my infant son's stroller into the swimming pool."
Victoria: "It was an accident, Officer! The ground was wet and slippery! He's exaggerating!"
Deputy Miller: "Ma'am, please step back and keep your hands where we can see them."
Brandon: "I have the entire event recorded on hidden security footage, Deputy. Watch this."
Brandon handed the tablet to Deputy Miller, who watched the video alongside his partner.
As the video played, Deputy Miller's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing into a hard glare as he watched Victoria shove the stroller into the deep end.
Deputy Miller: "You disengaged the mechanical wheel lock before pushing it, ma'am."
Victoria: "I was trying to set the brake! My foot slipped!"
Deputy Miller: "Your foot didn't slip when you watched the carriage submerge without stepping toward the edge."
Deputy Miller pulled his handcuffs from his utility belt, the metal clicking sharply in the quiet foyer.
Deputy Miller: "Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for attempted capital murder of a child, aggravated child abuse, and filing a false police report."
Victoria: "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME! DO YOU KNOW WHO MY FATHER IS?! HE OWNS HALF THE REAL ESTATE IN THIS COUNTY!"
Deputy Miller: "I don't care if your father owns the governor's mansion, lady. You're going straight to county jail."
The deputies grabbed Victoria's wrists, forcing her hands behind her back and snapping the steel cuffs securely into place.
Victoria thrashed wildly, her gold dress tearing near the shoulder as she was forced toward the double doors.
Victoria: "Brandon! You coward! You're letting them treat me like a criminal!"
Brandon: "You are a criminal, Victoria. And you will never step foot on this property again."
Victoria: "I will sue you for everything you own! I will destroy you in court!"
Deputy Miller: "Save it for your arraignment, Miss Vance. Let me move her out to the transport vehicle."
The deputies dragged the screaming, cursing woman out through the double doors, leaving the grand house silent once more.
Brandon turned around, looking at Maria, who was holding little Leo gently against her chest.
Brandon: "Maria... I don't even know how to apologize to you for what I said outside."
Maria: "You were terrified for your son, Mr. Brandon. I understand."
Brandon: "That's no excuse. You saved his life today. If you hadn't dived into that water..."
Brandon stopped, his voice cracking as tears finally filled his eyes.
Maria: "He's safe now, sir. That's all that matters."