Samantha reached the top landing near the framed flag artwork, her back pressed hard against the crisp white wall as the officers approached her calmly. Her hands were trembling at her sides, her dark dress wrinkled from her frantic movements as she looked down at the foyer below. Victoria watched from the bottom of the stairs, supported by Detective Reeves, who handed her a bottled water from his coat side pocket.
Detective Reeves: Take it easy, Victoria. Paramedics are turning onto the street right now.
Victoria: Is the baby going to be okay? That fall was so hard.
Detective Reeves: You landed mostly on your side, but the medical team will check everything at the hospital.
Samantha: She's faking it! She didn't even hit the floor that hard!
Detective Reeves: Quiet down, Miss Vance. You have the right to remain silent.
The two officers efficiently placed handcuffs on Samantha's wrists, the sharp metal clicks echoing down the wide staircase hallway. Samantha sobbed loudly as she was turned around toward the upper wall, her forehead pressing against the side of the large wooden picture frame containing the American flag artwork. The tiny hidden lens in the frame picked up her tearful, desperate face as the officers led her slowly down the stairs.
Samantha: Victoria, please! We're family! Don't let them take me away like this!
Victoria: You pushed a pregnant woman down wooden stairs, Samantha. You made your choice.
Samantha: I was just scared! I didn't mean to hurt the baby, I just wanted the paperwork!
Victoria: You wanted the revised will so you could burn it before the probate court opened tomorrow.
Samantha: It wasn't fair! He left millions to an unborn child and gave me nothing!
Detective Reeves held the front door open wide as the officers guided Samantha out onto the bright front porch stone steps. The flashing red and blue lights of an approaching ambulance painted patterns of light across the white stone pillars of the mansion driveway. Victoria took a deep breath, feeling the warm, fresh breeze from the open doorway blow soft air across her face as the heavy burden lifted from her shoulders.
Detective Reeves: The paper envelope you were holding during the fall, Victoria. Is it still safe?
Victoria: It's right under the banister post, Detective. I slid it there before I fell.
Detective Reeves: Good. That document seals the state's case against her for attempted murder and fraud.
Victoria: I just want Charles's child to grow up without fear in this home.
Detective Reeves: With this evidence, she will never be able to come near this estate or your child again.
The paramedics hurried through the open double doors with a stretcher, their efficient movements filling the entry hall with purposeful energy. Victoria looked up at the sunlit ceiling, the grand chandelier sparkling in the bright daylight that filled the white mansion. The long months of living in fear of Samantha's threats were finally over, replaced by the clean certainty of justice and law.