Mark arrived at the police station with a heavy weight on his conscience.
He spoke directly to the lead detective handling the home incident investigation.
Mark: I need to retract my statement regarding my stepmother Evelyn.
Detective: Sir, you claimed she intentionally caused your wife's fall.
Mark: I was mistaken and acted out of blind panic and old resentment.
The detective looked at Mark thoughtfully before pulling up a file on his monitor.
Detective: We actually reviewed the mansion's interior security camera footage just now.
Mark looked up in surprise, not knowing security cameras were inside the foyer.
The detective turned the computer monitor around so Mark could see the screen.
The video clearly showed Clara stepping onto the top landing of the staircase.
It showed the carpet runner slipping out from beneath her foot unexpectedly.
It also showed Evelyn screaming and reaching out desperately to break Clara's fall.
Mark: She really was trying to save my wife from falling.
Detective: Yes, but look closer at what caused the carpet runner to slip.
The detective zoomed in on the top edge of the staircase wooden step.
The brass carpet tacks holding the runner in place had been deliberately removed.
Mark gasped as he saw the fresh scratch marks on the dark wood surface.
Mark: Someone loosened that carpet on purpose to cause an accident!
Detective: That is correct, someone tampered with the stairs earlier that morning.
Mark's mind raced as he thought about who had access to the estate.
His cousin Richard had been at the house early that morning before anyone else.
Richard was second in line for the trust fund if Mark's child was lost.
Anger surged through Mark once again, but this time it was directed accurately.
Mark: Richard was at the house doing maintenance work this morning!
Detective: We found a set of pliers in Richard's toolbox with carpet fibers.
Mark leaned against the desk, shocked by the greed within his own bloodline.
Evelyn had been trying to protect the family, while Richard plotted in secret.
Mark: Where is Evelyn now? I need to apologize to her immediately.
The detective pointed toward an interview room down the brightly lit hall.
Detective: She is in room three waiting for her release paperwork to finalize.
Mark walked down the hallway with a deep sense of shame and regret.