The front double doors burst open as four uniformed Dallas police officers rushed into the pristine white foyer, followed closely by two paramedics carrying a stretcher and emergency medical gear.
Officer Davis: Police! Nobody move! Where is the victim who fell?
Lucas: Over here, Officer! On the atrium floor! She's seven months pregnant, please hurry!
The paramedics dropped to their knees beside Clara, immediately placing an oxygen mask over her mouth and checking her pulse and stomach.
Paramedic 1: Ma'am, try to take slow, deep breaths. Can you feel any sharp pain in your abdomen right now?
Clara: *Voice muffled by mask* A little bit... on my left side...
Paramedic 2: We're getting you onto the stretcher right now. We need to get you to Texas Health Presbyterian immediately.
Evelyn: Officers, thank goodness you're here! This girl trespassed onto my private property and fell down the stairs! My son is delusional and trying to frame me!
Officer Davis: Ma'am, step back and let the medical crew work.
Lucas: She didn't fall down the stairs, Officer Davis. She was pushed from the second-story upper balcony near the framed flag decor.
Evelyn: He's lying! There are no witnesses! It's his word against mine!
Lucas: We have a witness. Maria was standing right on the balcony when it happened.
Officer Davis turned his head toward the young maid, who was standing nervously near the grand staircase.
Officer Davis: Miss, did you witness what happened on the upper balcony?
Maria: Yes, sir! I saw Mrs. Vance grab Miss Clara's dress by the chest! Miss Clara was begging her to stop, but Mrs. Vance pushed her right over the railing!
Evelyn: You ungrateful little traitor! I gave you a job when nobody else would hire you!
Officer Davis: Ma'am, lower your voice immediately!
Lucas: And if you need physical proof, Officer, take a look at the ceiling corners of the upper balcony.
Lucas pointed up toward the pristine white ceiling above the balcony, where a small high-definition security camera gleamed in the daylight.
Evelyn: That camera is a dummy! It hasn't worked in five years!
Lucas: I installed four new 4K motion-activated cameras throughout this house three days ago, Evelyn. Connected directly to my private cloud server.
Evelyn stared up at the tiny black lens, her jaw dropping open as she realized every single second of the argument and the push had been recorded in full crystal-clear video.
Lucas: I watched the entire event live on my phone while I was driving down the highway. That's why I came through those doors running.
Officer Davis: You have live video footage of the assault, Mr. Vance?
Lucas: I have the full audio and video stored on my phone right here. I'm air-dropping the file directly to your department tablet right now.
Officer Davis pulled out his police tablet, accepting the incoming file transfer. A few seconds later, the clear audio of Evelyn shouting and shoving Clara echoed loudly from the tablet speaker.
Evelyn's Voice On Tape:"There will be no baby to divide our estate, Clara. Not today!"
The officers in the room exchanged grim glances. Officer Davis turned to the second officer and nodded sternly.
Officer Davis: Cuff her. Attempted capital murder of an unborn child and aggravated assault with intent to kill.
Evelyn: No! Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?! I am Evelyn Vance!
Officer 2: Turn around, ma'am. Place your hands behind your back.
The metallic snap of handcuffs clicked loudly in the quiet atrium as the paramedics lifted Clara's stretcher onto the wheeled cart.
Evelyn: *Screaming and thrashing* Lucas! Undo this right now! I am your mother! You can't do this to me!
Lucas: Goodbye, Evelyn. You'll be spending the rest of your life in a Texas state penitentiary.