The red and blue emergency lights flashed bright against the grand white pillars of the Montgomery mansion as three police cars pulled up.
Detective Callahan walked inside, shaking off the rain as he met Marcus near the bottom of the staircase.
Detective Callahan: Mr. Montgomery, we got your call. Where is the suspect?
Marcus: My security detail has her locked in the west wing holding room, Detective.
Vanessa: Marcus! Tell these police officers to release me! This is false imprisonment!
Vanessa's voice echoed loudly from the hallway as two officers escorted her out in heavy steel handcuffs.
Detective Callahan: Mrs. Montgomery, quiet down. We're going to review the security tapes before anyone makes a formal charge.
Sarah: Detective, the cameras in the foyer cover the entire main staircase angle.
Vanessa: She's a lieing servant! She manipulated the boy to throw himself down the steps!
Marcus: Shut up, Vanessa! My estate manager has the cloud footage ready on his tablet right now.
The head of security walked over, handing a small screen directly to Detective Callahan.
The detective watched the video in complete silence, his jaw tightening as he saw Vanessa lift her hands and shove eight-year-old Julian with full force.
Detective Callahan: That isn't an accident, ma'am. That is clear, pre-meditated felony child abuse and attempted murder.
Vanessa: He was standing in my way! He was ruining my marriage!
Marcus: You married me for my money, and you thought getting rid of my son would give you full access to the family trust fund!
Vanessa: You promised me a life of luxury, Marcus! Not playing stepmother to a brat whose real mother is dead!
Marcus: Don't you ever bring up my late wife!
Marcus took a step toward her, but Sarah gently placed a hand on his arm to hold him back.
Sarah: Don't let her get to you, Marcus. She's just trying to provoke you.
Marcus: You're right, Sarah. She's not worth my anger anymore.
Detective Callahan: Book her for attempted murder, assault on a minor, and reckless endangerment. No bail.
Vanessa: No! You can't leave me in a jail cell! My father is a senator!
Detective Callahan: Your father can come visit you behind glass, ma'am. Let's go.
The officers dragged Vanessa through the heavy oak double doors, her screaming slowly fading as the police car door slammed shut outside.
Marcus turned around, breathing a long sigh of relief as he looked down at Julian, who was sitting quietly on the couch with a ice pack on his wrist.
Marcus: How is his arm, Sarah?
Sarah: It's just a mild sprain, thank goodness. The doctor said he'll be completely fine in a couple of days.
Julian: Dad... is she ever coming back here?
Marcus: Never, son. I promise you, she will never step foot in this house again.
Julian: I was so scared when she grabbed my collar at the top of the stairs.
Marcus: I know, baby. I am so sorry I wasn't here to protect you earlier.
Sarah: You got here right when it counted, Marcus.
Marcus: Only because you caught him, Sarah. If you hadn't been standing at the bottom of those stairs, I don't even want to think about what would have happened.
Sarah: I was just doing my job, sir... I mean, Marcus.
Marcus: Your job just changed completely. Let's go into my office and draft your new employment contract.
Julian: Can I come too, Dad?
Marcus: Of course you can, buddy. You're the one who gets to approve her salary.
Julian smiled for the first time all day, taking Sarah's hand as they walked down the long hallway together toward the study.