Within ten minutes, three police cruisers screeched to a halt on the gravel driveway outside, their red and blue lights flashing against the tall foyer windows.
Two uniformed officers rushed through the front door, their hands resting on their holsters as they took in the dramatic scene.
Officer Miller: Mr. Vance! We got the report of attempted child murder. Is the boy safe?
Richard: My son is safe with his nanny. This woman, Victoria Vance, attempted to harm him and has been secretly administering toxic substances to him.
Victoria: That is a complete lie! He struck me! Look at my face! He assaulted me!
Officer Miller: Ma'am, stay quiet while we assess the situation.
Richard: I hit her to stop her from dragging my two-year-old child across the floor by his shoulder. And I have full audio evidence of her confessing to murder for my estate trust.
Richard handed the small black recording device directly to Officer Miller, who placed it into a clear plastic evidence bag.
Officer Miller: We’ll have forensics analyze this immediately. Where is the child’s nursery?
Nora: Upstairs to the left, Officer. I can show you where she keeps his baby formula and juice boxes.
Officer Miller: Lead the way, miss. Partner, hold the suspect right here.
Victoria struggled against the second officer's grip as steel handcuffs clicked tightly around her wrists.
Victoria: You can't do this to me! Do you know who my lawyer is?! I’m a Vance!
Officer Davis: You have the right to remain silent, ma'am. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court.
Upstairs in the nursery, Nora pointed toward a small silver tray sitting near the rocking chair.
Nora: That’s the cup of milk she forced him to drink this morning right before he started crying.
Officer Miller: Don't touch it. We’ll have the hazmat unit test the residue for digitalis or other controlled poisons.
Nora: She’s been acting so strange ever since Mr. Vance signed his new life insurance policy last month.
Officer Miller: Life insurance? How much was the policy for?
Nora: Five million dollars, sir. I overheard her talking to her divorce attorney about how to claim it if Richard passed away unexpectedly.
Officer Miller: So she wanted the child gone first so he couldn't inherit the estate, then she was going after the father.
Nora: Exactly. She didn't realize I was standing near the door listening to every single word.
Officer Miller: You saved that boy’s life today, miss. Most people would have been too scared of a rich employer to step in.
Nora: I could never sit by and watch a child get hurt, no matter how much money someone has.
They walked back down the grand staircase, where Officer Davis was leading a crying, disheveled Victoria out into the rain toward a patrol car.
Victoria: Richard! Please! Tell them it was a mistake! We can fix this!
Richard: The only mistake I made was bringing a viper into my home. Get her out of my sight.
The heavy oak doors slammed shut behind the police officers, leaving a deep silence in the vast foyer.
Richard turned to Nora, his face pale as he looked at his son sleeping soundly in her arms.
Richard: Nora... I don't even know how to begin apologizing to you for how she treated you.
Nora: You don't need to apologize, Mr. Vance. You came home just in time.
Richard: No, I was blind. I was so busy with work at the firm that I didn't see what was happening right under my roof.
Nora: She was very clever at hiding it when you were home. But today... today she lost her temper completely.
Richard: I’m calling the hospital right now to get Toby tested for toxins, and I want you to come with us to get your knees and hands checked out too.
Nora: I’m fine, sir, really. Toby is the one who matters.
Richard: You matter to this family now, Nora. More than you know.