Chapter 3
"Is there a problem here, ma'am?" the lead officer asked, looking between Maya and the terrified woman in red.
Maya pointed directly at Veronica, her voice steady, clear, and utterly convincing.
"This woman broke into my home, accused me of theft, and attempted to steal proprietary data," Maya reported.
"I have the entire incident recorded on my security system displayed on the TV right there."
The second officer stepped toward the living room, observing the security footage still looping on the large flat-screen.
The screen clearly showed Veronica sliding the dark hard drive into the inner pocket of her navy blue hoodie.
"Veronica Sterling?" the officer asked, pulling a set of steel handcuffs from his belt with a sharp metallic click.
Veronica took a step back, hitting the drywall behind her as tears of pure rage welled in her eyes.
"This is a mistake!" Veronica shrieked as the officer grabbed her wrist firmly.
"I am the senior vice president of Sterling Holdings! You cannot arrest me!"
"You have the right to remain silent," the officer recited routinely as he secured her hands behind her trench coat.
"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
The bystanders watched in dead silence as the officers escorted the kicking, screaming woman out the door.
May you like
Once the police cruiser sped away, the heavy quiet returned to the living room.
Maya sank into a chair, her chest rising and falling as the adrenaline slowly began to fade.
