Chapter 29 - The Warrant
The scene outside the hospital instantly dissolved into pandemonium.
Reporters shouted questions over one another, shoving microphones forward while camera operators fought for the best angle of Vanessa's crumbling facade.
"Mrs. Van Allen! Did you lace the drink?!"
"Daniel! Are you formally filing charges against your own mother?!"
Vanessa backed away from the microphones, her hands shaking violently as she reached for her security detail.
"Get them away from me!" she shrieked hysterically. "Get the car! Julian, call the governor right now!"
Suddenly, four Aspen Police cruisers and two Colorado State Trooper SUVs roared into the ambulance loop with sirens blaring, their tires screeching violently against the damp asphalt.
Uniformed officers poured out of the vehicles, their hands resting firmly on their utility belts.
Lead Detective Reynolds walked straight toward the media scrum, holding a signed judicial warrant high above his head.
"Vanessa Van Allen!" Reynolds shouted, his deep voice carrying over the chaos.
Vanessa froze, trapped between the wall of reporters and the advancing wall of law enforcement.
"What is the meaning of this insolence?!" Vanessa demanded, struggling to maintain her aristocratic superiority.
"Vanessa Van Allen, by order of the Colorado District Court, I have a warrant for your arrest on charges of attempted first-degree murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence!" Reynolds announced loudly.
A loud collective gasp echoed from the crowd of journalists.
Two female state troopers stepped forward, grabbed Vanessa’s manicured arms, and pulled them behind her back.
The cold click of steel handcuffs echoed clearly through the broadcast microphones.
"You cannot do this to me!" Vanessa screamed, writhing against the troopers' grip. "I am a Van Allen! I own this entire valley! Daniel, call them off!"
Daniel stood at the top of the concrete steps, staring down at her with dead, unyielding eyes.
"Goodbye, Vanessa," Daniel said coldly.
May you like
As the troopers forced her into the back of the police cruiser, Vanessa turned her head toward Daniel and let out a chilling, hysterical laugh.
"You fool!" Vanessa spat, venom dripping from every syllable. "You think this was my idea?! Look into your own boardroom, Daniel! The board signed off on her execution three weeks ago!"
