The air inside the chapel grew cold as the weight of the phone call hung over everyone standing between the wooden pews. Richard stared at his wife with wide, bloodshot eyes, realization finally sinking in that his wealth could no longer shield him.
Richard: You wouldn't dare destroy my life like this, Evelyn! We have a prenuptial agreement!
Evelyn: That agreement becomes completely void the moment you commit a felony against my family, Richard.
Richard: I did this for us! I did this to save our lifestyle!
Evelyn: You did this for your own greed and pride, and now you are going to pay for every single lie.
Leo guided Maya to one of the front pews, letting her sit down on the polished wood while keeping his eyes on Richard. The crowbar rested lightly in his right hand, ready to defend his sister if the frantic executive made one wrong move.
Maya: Thank you, Leo... if you hadn't followed his car last night, I would have been on a boat to Mexico by morning.
Leo: I promised Mom before she passed that I would always look out for you, no matter what happened.
Maya: But how did you break into the chapel without the groundskeeper seeing you?
Leo: I saw the back utility door was unlocked while Richard was bringing the flowers inside from the van.
Richard suddenly charged forward toward the altar, grabbing the small brass key and lunging toward the large oil painting hanging high. He slammed his body against the wooden wall, trying desperately to open the hidden wall safe before the authorities arrived.
Richard: I just need the papers! If I destroy the real will, they can't prove anything in court!
Guard 1: Mr. Vance, step away from the wall. Don't make this any worse than it already is.
Richard: Get away from me! You work for me, you useless fools!
The tall security guard finally moved, grabbing Richard's right arm and pinning it firmly against the chapel wall with ease. The second guard moved in, taking the small brass key from Richard's hand and handing it directly to Evelyn Vance.
Guard 1: We're taking your advice, Mrs. Vance. We work for you now.
Richard: Let go of me! You have no authority to hold me here!
Evelyn: They are holding you under citizen's arrest for attempted kidnapping and insurance fraud, Richard. Sit down and be quiet.
In the distance, the faint sound of sirens began to echo through the quiet neighborhood, growing louder with every passing second. Maya closed her eyes and leaned back against the pew, letting out a deep breath she felt like she had been holding for days.
Maya: It's finally over... he can't hurt us anymore.
Leo: It's over, Maya. We're going home.
Evelyn: No, Leo... you're coming to the estate with me. Both of you are going to be taken care of properly from now on.
Leo looked at Evelyn with caution, his protective instincts still sharp after everything he had witnessed over the last twenty-four hours. He had spent months living on his own after his mother died, working odd jobs while Richard tried to push him out.
Leo: We don't need your charity, Mrs. Vance. We just want what belongs to Maya.
Evelyn: It isn't charity, Leo. It's justice, and it's what your grandfather would have wanted for both of his grandchildren.
The chapel doors were pushed open from the outside as three uniformed police officers stepped inside, their sidearms holstered as they scanned the scene. They saw the broken casket, the splintered wood, and Richard pinned against the wall by the guards.
Police Officer: We received a call about a disturbance and a fake death certificate. Who is in charge here?
Evelyn: I am, Officer. And that man in the suit is the one you need to arrest immediately.