Six uniformed Dallas police officers and two state troopers ran through the open double doors, their heavy boots thudding against the marble floor.
Officer Hayes: Dallas Police! Nobody move! Stay in your seats!
The officers moved swiftly down the center aisle, their hands resting on their duty belts as guests cleared the way.
Richard: Officer, I am Richard Vance! You cannot barge into a private wedding without an emergency warrant!
Officer Hayes: Richard Vance, you are under arrest as an accessory to capital murder, kidnapping, and witness tampering.
A state trooper stepped forward, pulling Richard’s arms behind his back and clicking heavy steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
Richard: What?! I didn't know anything about cut brake lines! Vanessa, tell them I didn't know!
Vanessa: Shut up, Dad! Don't say another word to them!
Officer Hayes knelt beside Vanessa, who was still trembling on the marble floor in her torn bridal gown.
Officer Hayes: Vanessa Vance, stand up and put your hands behind your back right now.
Vanessa: Don't you dare touch me! Do you know how much money my family has in this city?!
Officer Hayes pulled her up by her lace sleeves, spinning her around and snapping the cold cuffs shut on her wrists.
Vanessa: Julian! Look at me! Tell them to take these off! You can't let them take me to jail!
Julian: You aren't going to jail, Vanessa. You're going to a maximum-security penitentiary for capital murder and kidnapping.
Vanessa: You're destroying both our families! Think of what the media will say tomorrow morning!
Julian: The media will say that a monster was caught before she could steal another dime of my family's legacy.
Officer Hayes pushed Vanessa firmly down the center aisle, her bare feet dragging across the flower petals scattered on the floor.
Reporters and photographers were already crowding the glass entrance outside, their bright flashbulbs lighting up her smeared makeup and torn gown.
Vanessa: Turn those cameras off! Stop filming me!
She shrieked and kicked, but the officers shoved her into the back of a waiting squad car and slammed the door shut.
Inside the hall, a female paramedic rushed up to Julian and Leo, carrying a first-aid kit and a clean white blanket.
Paramedic: Mr. Sterling? Let me check the boy's cheek and that bruised shoulder.
Julian: Please. Check everything. He hasn't seen a doctor in five long years.
The paramedic gently placed an ice pack against Leo's swollen cheek, smiling warmly down at him.
Paramedic: You are one brave young man, Leo. His pulse is steady, but he’s dehydrated and bruised. We should take him to Dallas Children's Hospital for a full checkup.
Leo: Dad, are you coming with me? Don't leave me alone in the ambulance.
Julian: I will never leave your side again, Leo. Not for one single second.
Julian lifted the boy into his arms, carrying him past the abandoned altar and through the open doors into the bright Texas sunshine.
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