Arthur: "Pick up the bag, Elena."
Elena: "Sir, please... I didn't put anything in there..."[cite: 1]
Victoria: "Pick it up and open it right now, or I'm calling the police this very second!"
Elena reached down with trembling fingers, her small hands shaking so hard she could barely grasp the metallic latch[cite: 1]. The faint sound of leather scraping against the cool marble echoed softly in the silent hallway[cite: 1]. With a sharp metallic click, the brass lock snapped open[cite: 1].
Victoria: "Go on! Pull it open so my husband can see what kind of snake we hired!"
Elena: "I didn't... I swear I didn't..."[cite: 1]
Elena pulled the leather sides apart, her vision blurred by fresh tears[cite: 1]. Nestled right inside, resting directly on top of her personal belongings, was a black velvet pad holding the sparkling high-carat diamond drop necklace[cite: 1]. The diamonds caught the bright high-key lighting, glittering mockingly in the center of her bag[cite: 1].
Victoria: "There! Look at that, Arthur! Look at what she did!"
Arthur: "My God..."
Elena: "NO! NO! I didn't put that in there! I swear I've never seen that velvet pad in my life!"[cite: 1]
Elena collapsed back onto her knees, choking on her own sob as profound anguish washed over her face[cite: 1]. Tears streamed down her pale skin in heavy lines, her raw desperation clear to anyone looking at her[cite: 1]. She looked up at Arthur, her voice cracking under the weight of the accusation[cite: 1].
Elena: "I didn't take it! Please believe me, Mr. Vance! I didn't take it!"[cite: 1]
Victoria: "The evidence is literally sitting in your purse! You caught red-handed, you disgusting thief!"
Elena: "Someone put it there! I was cleaning the guest bathroom ten minutes ago! My bag was sitting right here by the coat rack!"
Victoria: "Oh, so now someone framed you? Is that your ridiculous excuse? Who would frame a house maid?"
Elena: "I don't know! But I am telling the truth!"
Arthur: "Victoria, let me see that necklace."
Victoria: "Take it, Arthur. Take it before she tries to grab it again. We need to lock her in the pantry until the precinct sends an officer."
Elena: "Mr. Vance, please... if I go to jail, my mother won't get her treatment! I have the insurance payments due this week! I wouldn't ruin my life like this!"
Victoria: "Save your pathetic sob story for the judge! You're going to prison!"
Arthur picked up the heavy gold-and-diamond necklace from the bag, staring at the glittering stones with a strange, distant look in his eyes. He didn't look angry; he looked intensely focused, his brow pulling down as he studied the situation.
Arthur: "Elena, you say you were in the east wing cleaning the guest bath for the last twenty minutes?"
Elena: "Yes, sir! Check the cleaning log! Check the linen closet!"
Victoria: "Why are you questioning her, Arthur? The piece was in her bag! Case closed!"
Arthur: "It's not closed yet, Victoria."