The officers moved forward calmly and instructed Evelyn to stay completely still against the wall.
Evelyn tried to argue her case, waving her hands dramatically in front of the officers.
Evelyn: He is lying to you, officer, his children were out of control!
Officer: Ma'am, please keep your voice down while we assess the situation thoroughly.
Arthur, the family attorney, walked through the open front doors carrying a black leather briefcase.
He handed a folder of official legal documents directly to the lead police officer.
Arthur: Officer, here are the bank records showing fraudulent activity initiated by this individual.
Officer: What kind of fraudulent activity are we looking at here, counselor?
Arthur: Unauthorized attempts to liquidate minor trust accounts total over two hundred thousand dollars.
Evelyn glared at Arthur with pure hatred as the officer reviewed the printed bank statements.
The officer turned toward his partner and gave a small nod of agreement.
Officer: Evelyn Davis, you are under arrest for attempted fraud and child endangerment.
The officers placed metallic handcuffs around Evelyn's wrists behind her back.
She turned her head back toward Mark as she was escorted toward the front doors.
Evelyn: You will regret taking their side over mine, Mark!
Mark: My children will always come first, Evelyn, no matter what happens.
The officers led Evelyn down the paved front walkway toward the waiting police vehicle.
Mark watched through the glass window as the police car pulled away down the street.
Arthur placed a supportive hand on Mark's shoulder as the house grew quiet once again.
Arthur: You got back home just in time today, Mark.
Mark: I should have noticed the warning signs weeks ago, Arthur.
Arthur: You protected them when it mattered most, and that is what counts now.
Mark: We need to clear this mess up and make sure the children feel safe.
Arthur helped Mark clean up the larger pieces of shattered porcelain from the floor.
They placed the broken blue and gold ceramic fragments into a heavy waste bin.
Mark then walked back into the bright kitchen where Leo and Maya were waiting.
The children looked up with big, round eyes as their father entered the room.
Maya: Is she gone forever, daddy?
Mark: Yes, sweetheart, she is gone and she will never return to this house.
Leo let out a long breath of relief and leaned his head back against the cushion.
Mark sat down beside them on the kitchen nook bench and pulled them into a hug.
Mark: I am so sorry I did not realize what was happening sooner, kids.
Leo: We were scared to tell you because she said you would not believe us.
Mark: I will always believe you two, no matter what anyone else says to you.