Lieutenant Carter stepped into the grand hotel lobby and adjusted his crisp white dress uniform.
The air smelled of expensive perfume and fresh roses.
Photographers snapped photos of wealthy guests near the velvet ropes.
Carter was here to give an honor award to Arthur Vance.
Arthur Vance was a powerful oil baron who donated millions to local charities.
Everyone in the city treated Arthur like a local hero.
Carter had brought his younger sister Ava to the event as his special guest.
Ava had been quiet all evening during dinner.
She had excused herself to the ladies dressing room twenty minutes ago.
The main event was scheduled to start in just a few minutes.
Carter walked down the wide hallway to find his sister.
He knocked gently on the white ornate wooden door.
There was no answer from inside the room.
He heard a faint sound of someone crying softly.
Carter slowly pushed the heavy door open.
The bright light inside the dressing room hurt his eyes for a moment.
Ava was sitting on the floor near a lighted vanity mirror.
She was clutching a heavy black coat tightly against her chest.
Her hair was messy and her shoulders were trembling wildly.
Carter felt a sudden knot form in his stomach.
He hurried inside and slammed the door shut behind him.
He knelt down beside his trembling younger sister.
Lieutenant Carter: Ava, the speeches are starting. What happened?
Ava pulled the dark coat tighter around her upper body.
Tears flowed down her pale cheeks in steady streams.
Her voice was shaking so hard she could barely speak.
Ava: Please... just close the door.
Carter looked down at her legs and froze in complete horror.
Deep purple and blue bruises covered her knees and lower legs.
A fresh dark mark was visible on her left shoulder.
Carter felt his blood run cold inside his veins.
He gently touched her arm and looked into her tear-filled eyes.
Lieutenant Carter: Who put their hands on you?
Ava wiped her nose with the back of her trembling hand.
She looked up at her brother with deep terror in her eyes.
Ava: The oil baron you're about to honor.
Carter felt rage surge through his entire body instantly.
He took a deep breath to keep his voice steady.
Lieutenant Carter: Arthur Vance did this to you?
Ava nodded her head slowly as fresh tears spilled over.
She pulled out a small black recorder from her purse.
Her hand shook as she held the device out toward him.
Ava: He threatened to destroy our family if I spoke out.
Carter took the small recorder from her cold hands.
He stood up and looked at his reflection in the mirror.
His uniform looked spotless, but his heart was burning with anger.
He knew he could not walk back out there and hand over that award.
He helped Ava stand up and sit on the velvet couch.
Lieutenant Carter: Stay right here where it is safe.
Ava: What are you going to do out there, Carter?
Lieutenant Carter: I am going to tell everyone the truth.