Chapter 5 - The Red Sirens
Within seven minutes, the quiet suburban cul-de-sac in Great Falls, Virginia, was painted in flashing red and blue strobe lights.
Two uniformed Fairfax County police officers walked up the paved driveway, their heavy duty belts clinking in the crisp night air.
Evelyn sat on the velvet sofa, dabbing her dry eyes with a monogrammed handkerchief, putting on a masterclass of elder frailty.
"Officer, my daughter-in-law is having a postpartum mental breakdown!" Evelyn wailed to the lead officer, Officer Davis.
"She threw soup at me, slapped my poor son, and now she’s making up insane stories about this sweet little baby!"
Officer Davis, a seasoned veteran with graying temples, looked at Mark, who stood wringing his hands near the fireplace.
"Is this true, sir? Did your wife assault you and invent the claim regarding the child?" Officer Davis asked sternly.
May you like
Mark looked at his mother’s desperate glare, then at Claire, who stood silently holding Emma under the warm living room light.
Mark swallowed hard, his throat dry as bone, and took a deep, cowardly breath. "Yes... my wife lost her temper."
