The flashing red and blue lights painted the white marble pillars of the foyer in sharp, rhythmic bursts of color.
The heavy front doors were pushed open again, and three uniformed police officers marched inside, accompanied by two federal agents in dark trench coats.
Leading the officers was Detective Marcus Vance, Victoria's own second cousin, holding a thick leather folder.
Victoria: Marcus! Thank God you're here! Tell these men who I am! Arrest Lucas Sterling for assault!
Detective Vance walked straight past Victoria without glancing at her, stopping right in front of Lucas and Arthur.
Detective Vance: Mr. Sterling, I am Detective Marcus Vance from the County Major Crimes Division. Is the child safe?
Lucas: Noah is in my arms, Detective. He has severe bruising along his lower back and legs from the staircase tumble.
Detective Vance: The emergency medical technicians are parked right behind my cruiser. Let's get him examined immediately.
A female paramedic rushed into the foyer carrying a padded medical basket and a pediatric diagnostic kit.
Paramedic Lisa: Let me take a look at the little champion, sir. Come sit down over here on the bench.
Lucas sat gently on the carved wooden hall bench, never letting go of Noah's small hand as the paramedic checked the child's vitals.
Noah: Daddy, the nice lady has warm hands...
Lucas: She's going to make sure your knees feel all better, buddy.
Paramedic Lisa: No broken bones, Mr. Sterling. Mild contusions along his left hip and shoulder. He was very lucky you caught him when you did.
Lucas: Thank you, Lisa. Thank God...
Victoria stood up, holding onto the banister for support, her voice rising in shrill, desperate anger.
Victoria: Marcus! Why are you ignoring me?! I am your cousin! Look at my face, I was struck by this man!
Detective Vance turned around slowly, his expression cold, professional, and entirely devoid of family sympathy.
Detective Vance: Victoria Vance, turn around and place both of your hands behind your back.
Victoria froze, her jaw dropping open in utter disbelief.
Victoria: What did you just say to me?
Detective Vance: You heard me clearly. Hands behind your back right now.
Victoria: You cannot arrest me! I am the victim here!
Detective Vance: You are under arrest for attempted second-degree homicide of a minor, aggravated child abuse, and corporate embezzlement.
Victoria: What embezzlement?! That was my father's business!
Detective Vance: Your father was arrested at his downtown office thirty minutes ago by federal agents.
Victoria's legs buckled beneath her, her hand slipping from the polished wood of the banister as a sharp cry escaped her throat.
Victoria: My father... arrested?!
Detective Vance: Federal marshals raided Vance Financial at one o'clock this afternoon. They seized every server, ledger, and bank token in the building.
Director Miller: The entire firm was a house of cards!
Detective Vance: Your father gave up your name within ten minutes of being handcuffed, Victoria. He stated under sworn oath that you altered the trust accounting files to cover the missing eight million dollars.
Victoria: That coward! He blamed me?! He bought sports cars for his mistress and blamed his own daughter?!
Detective Vance: You can debate family loyalty in county lockup, Victoria. Hands behind your back.
Officer Jenkins stepped forward, pulling Victoria's arms behind her waist with firm, practiced authority.
The cold steel handcuffs snapped shut around her wrists with a sharp, heavy click that echoed through the vast foyer.
Victoria: Ah! Be careful with my wrists! Lucas, please! Tell them to stop! We were going to build an empire together!
Lucas: You tried to kill my child for a bank account, Victoria. You don't deserve an empire. You deserve a cage.
Victoria: Arthur, help me! Think of what our high-society friends will say at the country club tomorrow!
Arthur: Our high-society friends will be reading your indictment on the front page of the morning newspaper, Victoria.
Officer Jenkins escorted the weeping, disheveled woman toward the heavy white double doors, her maroon dress trailing through the cold air.
Outside, camera flashes from three local news vans illuminated the stone portico as the reporters shouted questions into the wind.
Reporter 1: Miss Vance! Did you attempt to murder your fiance's toddler to secure the inheritance?
Reporter 2: Was Vance Financial operating as an illegal Ponzi scheme?!
Victoria screamed, ducking her head into her shoulder as she was pushed into the back of the police cruiser.
The heavy car door slammed shut with a final, booming thud, cutting off her hysterical cries once and for all.