Flashlights illuminated the secret room hidden right beneath the main marble corridor floor.
The space was small with concrete walls, a single mattress, and small battery-powered lights.
Sitting on the corner of the small mattress was a frail six year old girl with long messy hair.
She shielded her weak eyes from the sudden bright light pouring in from the open doorway.
Arthur: Maya! Oh my God, Maya!
Arthur dropped to his knees and scrambled into the small concrete room without hesitation.
He pulled his precious eldest daughter into his arms and held her tight against his chest.
Maya wrapped her thin arms around her father's neck and began to cry soft quiet tears.
Maya: Daddy... you finally found me... I waited for you every day.
Arthur: I am so sorry my baby... I am so sorry I did not know!
Paramedics rushed down into the opening with warm blankets and medical check equipment.
Out in the main hallway the police sergeant slapped steel handcuffs onto Victoria's wrists.
Sergeant: Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for kidnapping, child endangerment, and fraud.
Victoria tried to pull away but the officers escorted her firmly toward the waiting police car.
Victoria: This is a mistake! You cannot do this to me!
Neighbors gathered along the long driveway watching in complete shock as Victoria was loaded into the back seat.
Inside the house Arthur walked out of the hidden room carrying sweet Maya wrapped in warm blankets.
Lily reached out her small hands toward her elder sister with a bright happy smile on her face.
Lily: See Daddy? I told you my sister was under the floor!
Arthur kissed both of his young daughters on their foreheads while tears streamed down his face.
The nightmare that had haunted his home for two long years was finally coming to an end.