Evelyn: What do you mean you aren't here to represent me? I pay your firm a twenty-thousand-dollar monthly retainer!
Harrison: That retainer was paid from the Vance Family Trust, Evelyn. An account that was legally frozen at noon today.
Richard: Harrison, thank you for coming on such short notice.
Harrison: When you sent me the audio recording from your late father's hospice room this morning, Richard, I had no choice but to petition the judge for an emergency unsealing.
Evelyn: What emergency unsealing? The probate hearing isn't scheduled until November!
Harrison: It was scheduled for November based on the will you submitted in January, Evelyn. The will that named you sole executor.
Evelyn took half a step backward, her hand reaching out to touch the marble banister for support.
Evelyn: That is Arthur's legal will. He signed it in front of two independent witnesses at the downtown hospital!
Harrison: He signed it while under the influence of heavy narcotics, administered by a private nurse you hired without Richard's consent.
Deputy Miller: Counselor, does this pertain to the child endangerment investigation?
Harrison: It establishes the motive, Officer. Evelyn attempted to manufacture a neglect ruling against Richard to gain legal custody of the child.
Richard: Custody of Leo? Why would she want custody of a baby she despises?
Harrison: Because your father's true original testament had one specific, unalterable clause, Richard.
Harrison opened his briefcase on the hall table, pulling out a document bound in heavy dark blue leather with a gold state seal.
Harrison: Arthur's legitimate trust agreement, drafted four years ago before his illness, stipulated that seventy percent of the Vance estate passes directly to his first grandchild upon birth.
Richard looked from the document to his stepmother, whose face had turned an ashen shade of gray.
Richard: Seventy percent... that's over forty million dollars.
Harrison: Exactly. And clause nine stated that whoever holds legal custody of the grandchild manages the trust fund and receives a three-million-dollar annual management fee until the child reaches twenty-one.
Richard: That's why you wanted child protective services here today.
Evelyn: That is preposterous! I am a woman of independent wealth!
Harrison: You have eighty-two thousand dollars in unpaid luxury credit cards, Evelyn. And your private investment portfolio in the Caymans went bankrupt six months ago.
Hannah: She told me last week that money wouldn't be an issue once the court hearing was over.
Hannah walked back into the foyer, followed by Investigator Morris, who was gently holding a cold compress to Leo's forehead.
Investigator Morris: The child has superficial contusions consistent with a direct fall onto a hard surface, but no structural fractures. Paramedics are outside to do a full checkup.
Deputy Miller: That’s enough for me. Mrs. Vance, turn around and place your hands behind your back.
Evelyn: Don't you dare lay your hands on me! Richard, tell him to stop! I am your father's widow!
Richard: You are a criminal who tried to break my son's body for a trust fund fee.
Deputy Miller clicked the metal handcuffs around Evelyn's wrists with two sharp, unmistakable snaps.
Deputy Miller: Evelyn Vance, you are under arrest for felony child abuse, filing a false police report, and attempted fraud.
Evelyn: You will regret this, Richard! Every single one of you will pay for this humiliation!
Richard: The only person paying for anything from now on is you, Evelyn. Starting with your own defense lawyer.