Within ten minutes, the sound of loud sirens echoed down the long private driveway of the estate. Red and blue lights flashed brightly against the tall front windows, casting sharp shadows across the marble lobby. Two uniformed police officers rushed through the heavy front doors, followed closely by two paramedics carrying a stretcher and medical gear. Mark stepped forward to meet them, pointing directly up toward Eleanor who remained on the balcony landing.
Officer Miller: Sir, what happened here? Is anyone severely injured?
Mark: My stepmother attempted to murder my pregnant wife by pushing her over that railing.
Eleanor: That is a complete lie officer! It was a horrible slipping accident!
Victoria: She grabbed my papers and shoved me! She told me my baby did not belong here!
The paramedics moved quickly to Victoria's side, kneeling down on the polished floor. They carefully placed a neck collar on her as a precaution and began checking her pulse, blood pressure, and baby's heart rate with portable monitors. Mark knelt beside her again, holding her cold hand firmly in his own.
Paramedic: Ma'am, try to take deep, slow breaths for me. Can you feel any sharp pains in your abdomen?
Victoria: Just... just tight pressure from the fear. Please tell me my baby boy is fine!
Paramedic: His heartbeat is strong and steady, ma'am. You are both very lucky that your husband caught you.
Mark let out a ragged sigh of relief, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Victoria's cheek. Tears welled up in his own eyes as he heard the clear rhythm of his baby's heartbeat on the monitor speaker. Officer Miller looked up at Eleanor and then motioned for his partner to head up the stairs.
Officer Miller: Ma'am, do not make any sudden movements. Stay right where you are.
Eleanor: This is ridiculous! You cannot arrest me on the word of a lying outsider!
Mark: She is not an outsider, and we have proof, Eleanor.
Eleanor: Proof? What proof could you possibly have of a slip?
Mark reached into his pocket and pulled out his smartphone. He tapped the screen a few times to open the security system application that monitored the entire mansion. He held the screen up toward Officer Miller so the officer could see the crisp video feed.
Mark: I installed 4K high-definition security cameras in every hallway last month after noticing items missing from the estate office. The camera above the balcony caught the entire attack on video.
Eleanor gasped loudly, her hand falling away from her necklace. She staggered backward against the wall as Officer Davis reached the top of the stairs and placed a firm hand on her arm. The officer pulled out a pair of steel handcuffs, their metallic click ringing out clearly across the room.
Officer Davis: Eleanor Sterling, you are under arrest for attempted murder and felony aggravated assault.
Eleanor: Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?
Officer Davis: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Mark watched with cold satisfaction as the officer clicked the handcuffs tightly around Eleanor's wrists behind her back. The evil woman who had tormented his family for years was finally stripped of her power, standing helpless in front of the law under the bright lights of the grand house she loved more than human life.