Heavy, rapid footsteps thundered up the wooden staircase as three armed police officers rushed into the hallway, guns drawn, followed by a professional animal control officer holding a long steel catch-pole[cite: 1].
Officer Miller: Nobody move! Where is the reptile?!
Edgar: On the floor by the wall! Don't let it bite anyone!
The animal control officer stepped forward expertly, pinning the pit viper’s head to the floorboards with the padded catch-pole within seconds[cite: 1]. He expertly secured the snake behind its neck and dropped it safely into a heavy reinforced container, securing the latch with a sharp click[cite: 1].
Animal Control Officer: Asian Pit Viper. Extremely dangerous. One bite from this would have stopped a person's heart in less than half an hour.
Officer Miller: Which one of you is Evelyn Vance?
Chloe: That would be the woman sitting on the floor in the purple robe, Officer[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Officer, listen to me! This is a massive misunderstanding! My daughter-in-law planted that creature in my house to frame me!
Officer Miller: Ma'am, we have a live audio recording sent from Mrs. Vance's phone, along with a full statement from your son over the emergency line.
Evelyn: The recording is fake! It's AI-generated! You can't use that against me!
Officer Miller: We also found a commercial exotic reptile purchase receipt in your handbag on the kitchen counter, signed under your name three days ago in downtown city limits.
Evelyn’s mouth snapped shut[cite: 1]. She looked at Officer Miller, then at her legal documents sticking out of her purse, her last shred of composure completely shattering into pieces[cite: 1].
Officer Miller: Stand up, ma'am. You are under arrest for attempted first-degree murder, illegal possession of a dangerous exotic species, and corporate fraud.
Evelyn: Edgar! Tell them to stop! You're my son! You owe me everything!
Edgar: I gave you a place to live, a monthly allowance of twenty thousand dollars, and all the respect in the world, Mom[cite: 1]. And you tried to murder the woman I love for a trust fund[cite: 1].
Evelyn: I did it for us! For our family name!
Edgar: You did it for yourself.
Officer Miller pulled Evelyn to her feet, pulling her arms firmly behind her back as the steel handcuffs clicked tightly around her wrists[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Get your hands off me! I am Evelyn Vance! My family owns half of this county!
Officer Miller: You have the right to remain silent, Mrs. Vance. I strongly suggest you use it.
The officers escorted Evelyn down the long hallway toward the grand staircase[cite: 1]. Her high heels dragged uselessly against the expensive rug as she sobbed and screamed, her purple robe disheveled, looking like a total lunatic as the flashbulbs of two local news reporters began popping through the front glass entrance below[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Edgar! Chloe! You'll burn in hell for this! You hear me?! You'll burn in hell!