Arthur reached out and snatched the leather folder directly from Vanessa's hands. She tried to pull away, but the police officer moved in to block her path. Arthur unzipped the file and pulled out a stack of crisp white documents. They were official inheritance and trust papers, recently drafted, transferring all family assets directly to Vanessa in the event of Leo's death.
Arthur: What is the meaning of this? Why are these papers out of my locked safe?
Vanessa: I... I was just securing our important documents from the fire!
Hannah: She told me upstairs that the trust fund would become hers tonight! She thought Leo would not make it out of that room!
At that moment, the fire chief walked out of the ruined front entrance, taking off his heavy helmet. He held a small silver can in his gloved hand and walked straight toward the police officers and Arthur.
Fire Chief: Officer, we found the origin point of the fire in the second floor hallway. Someone poured gasoline right outside the boy's bedroom door and along the study line. We found this empty lighter fluid container hidden inside the planter on the balcony.
Officer Davis: Is that so? Ma'am, do you mind showing us your hands?
Vanessa pulled her hands back into the folds of her green dress, but the officer firmly reached out and examined her fingers. The distinct smell of lighter fluid sat heavy on her skin, and small soot stains marked her manicured nails. The truth was now completely impossible to deny.
Officer Davis: Vanessa Sterling, you are under arrest for attempted murder, arson, and reckless endangerment.
Vanessa: You cannot touch me! Do you know who I am? Arthur, tell them to stop!
Arthur: Do not ever address me again. You are going to prison for what you tried to do to my son.
The officers turned Vanessa around and snapped heavy metal handcuffs onto her wrists. She screamed and cursed as they led her away toward the back of a police cruiser, her silk green dress dragging through the dirt on the driveway. The entire domestic staff watched in silence as the wicked woman was driven away to face real justice.