The heavy oak door pushed open with a click.
Arthur stood in the doorway holding a leather file folder.
Arthur: What are you doing here?
Elena gasped soft and backed away against the sink.
Elena: I... I was just finishing the cleaning...
She tried to pull her uniform collar tight over her neck.
Her sudden movement pulled the fabric down on her left shoulder.
Arthur stepped into the bright light of the bathroom.
His sharp eye caught the deep red scratches on her back.
Arthur: Turn around.
Elena: Please... don't look...
She began to cry as her chest heaved with quiet sobs.
Arthur walked closer and looked into the large vanity mirror.
He saw her reflection trembling in the soft light.
He slowly knelt on the floor behind her.
Severe red marks and purple bruises covered her skin.
Arthur: Who did this to you?
Elena: It was an accident while moving heavy furniture.
Arthur: These are not marks from furniture, Elena.
He pulled out his phone to take clear pictures.
Arthur: Somebody deliberately hurt you in this house.
Elena: Please put that away, I need this job.
Arthur: You do not have to suffer to earn a living.
He gently helped her stand up from the floor.
Elena: Vance told me he would destroy my family.
Arthur: Vance Sterling did this to you today?
Elena wiped a fresh tear from her cheek and nodded once.
Elena: He lost his temper when I dropped a tray.
Arthur: He has a long history of hiding his temper.
Elena: He said no court would ever believe a maid.
Arthur reached into his suit jacket and took out a card.
Arthur: I handle the legal trust for this whole estate.
Arthur: My job is to protect people from his corruption.
Elena looked at the gold writing on the white card.
Elena: Can an attorney really stop a rich man?
Arthur: Money does not place anyone above the law.
He looked down at the bloody towel on the floor.
Arthur: We need to collect this evidence right now.
He placed the towel carefully into a clean plastic bag.
Arthur: Meet me at my office down town tonight.
Elena: Mrs. Gable will notice if I leave early.
Arthur: Tell her I assigned you to clean my suite.
Elena took a deep breath to steady her shaking voice.
Elena: I am terrified of what he might do next.
Arthur: You are not alone in this fight anymore.
Footsteps echoed down the long hallway outside the room.
Arthur stood up quickly and adjusted his blue tie.
Arthur: Stay calm and act like nothing happened.
The heavy shadow of Vance appeared past the doorway.