The heavy front doors of the mansion were pushed wide open, and four uniformed police officers marched into the foyer, led by Detective Marcus Vance from the major crimes division.
Detective Vance: Caleb Sterling? We received the emergency priority dispatch from your security provider.
Caleb: Over here, Detective. Thank you for arriving so quickly.
Evelyn: Marcus! Oh God, Marcus, thank goodness it's you! Tell these men to stand down! This is a private domestic argument!
Detective Vance looked down at Evelyn sitting on the steps in her rumpled green gown, his expression cold, hard, and completely detached.
Detective Vance: Evelyn, keep your hands where I can see them. I am not here as your third cousin today. I am here as an officer of the law.
Evelyn: Marcus, we share the same great-grandfather! You cannot do this to our family!
Detective Vance: Our great-grandfather was an honest dock worker, Evelyn. He didn't drop infants off second-story balconies.
Evelyn: It was an accident! I lost my balance!
Detective Vance: We received the live-streamed video file from Caleb's security provider twelve minutes ago, Evelyn. The district attorney and the duty magistrate have already reviewed the footage.
Evelyn: What... what did the magistrate say?
Detective Vance: A felony warrant for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment, and felony assault was signed without bail eligibility.
Evelyn screamed, scrambling backward up two steps on her hands and knees, but two uniformed officers stepped forward instantly, grabbing her by her bare wrists.
Evelyn: Get your hands off me! Do not touch my designer gown! Caleb, tell them to stop!
Officer Miller: Stand up, ma'am! Put your hands behind your back right now!
The officers pulled her arms behind her back, the sharp metallic click of steel handcuffs echoing loudly through the high-ceilinged foyer.
Evelyn: Ah! You're pinching my skin! I am a Vance! I will have all of your badges by tomorrow morning!
Detective Vance: Save your threats for the arraignment judge, Evelyn. You're going to need every ounce of energy for the trial of your life.
The study door opened softly, and Dr. Reynolds walked out into the foyer, followed by Maya holding little Leo wrapped in a warm yellow fleece blanket.
Caleb: Doctor, how is my boy? Is there any internal bleeding? Any fractures?
Dr. Reynolds: Miraculously, Caleb, the baby is completely unharmed. A slight contusion on his shoulder from the sudden catch, but Maya's quick reaction saved his life. He is healthy, strong, and resting peacefully.
Maya: Thank God... Oh, thank God Almighty...
Caleb stepped over to Maya, wrapping his arms around both her and the baby, pressing a warm kiss against his wife's forehead.
Caleb: You saved our son, Maya. You are the bravest woman I have ever known.
Maya: I would throw myself off ten balconies before I let anyone hurt our little boy, Caleb.
Evelyn thrashed against the officers' hold, her green silk dress twisting around her legs as she was forced down the steps toward the open front doors.
Evelyn: Look at you two! Playing the happy little family with a penniless maid! You'll never be accepted in high society, Caleb! Never!
Caleb: High society can keep its sociopaths, Evelyn. I choose my family.
Outside, news cameras flashed continuously against the white marble portico as three local reporters shouted questions into the cold afternoon air.
Reporter 1: Miss Vance! Is it true you tried to murder Caleb Sterling's infant heir?
Reporter 2: Was your father's firm running an illegal offshore shell operation?!
Evelyn ducked her head, trying to shield her face behind her shoulder, but the flashing lenses captured every second of her swollen cheek, ruined makeup, and heavy silver handcuffs.
Officer Miller guided her firmly into the back seat of the police cruiser, slamming the heavy door shut with a solid, final thud that cut off her shrill screaming forever.