Chapter 9 - The Blue Lights
A sudden wash of flashing crimson and royal blue light painted the high arched windows of the grand foyer.
The low, ominous wail of police sirens died down as three patrol cruisers pulled up the long circular driveway.
Tires crunched over the gravel outside, followed immediately by the synchronized slamming of car doors.
Margaret panicked, scrambling forward on her knees toward the grand front door like a cornered animal.
"We have to get out, Evelyn, get up!" the elderly woman shrieked, grabbing her daughter's torn satin shoulder.
Marcus did not even have to raise his hands to stop them.
Julian stepped forward, planting his athletic frame across the entryway, his eyes daring either woman to take another step.
The heavy front doors swung open fully, revealing four armed police officers and two paramedics carrying trauma kits.
"Police! Nobody move!" the lead officer bellowed, his hand resting securely on his holstered firearm.
The officers took in the scene in a fraction of a second: the shattered vase, the discarded belt, and the welt on Clara’s arm.
Marcus raised his empty hands slightly, showing absolute respect for protocol while maintaining command.
"Officers, thank God you are here," Marcus said, his voice deep, calm, and utterly convincing.
"My name is Marcus Vance, the owner of this property."
"These two women have committed assault with a weapon against my daughter."
"And my son has just uncovered concrete digital evidence of premeditated conspiracy to commit murder against my life."
The lead officer signaled his partner, who immediately unclipped two pairs of steel handcuffs from his belt.
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Evelyn began to scream hysterically, kicking her feet as two officers moved in to pin her arms behind her back.
"Get your hands off me! I am the mistress of this estate!" she screeched as the metal clicked shut around her wrists.
