Inside the cold, windowless interrogation room at the Dallas Police Headquarters, Evelyn sat at a metal table. Her glamorous navy gown looked completely out of place against the dull gray walls. Her hands were still cuffed, resting on the cold steel surface.
The door clicked open, and Detective Reynolds walked in, holding a thick manila folder. He sat down across from her, laying the file open.
Evelyn: Detective, this entire situation is a hysterical overreaction by an unstable family. I demand to be released on bail immediately.
Detective Reynolds: You aren't getting bail today, Mrs. Vance. Or tomorrow. Or anytime soon.
Evelyn: On what grounds? A misplaced glass tank? I was cleaning the master bath!
Detective Reynolds: We aren't just holding you for attempted murder of a minor, Evelyn. We've just unsealed the exhumation order for Clara Vance.
Evelyn's smooth posture faltered for a fraction of a second. Her eyes narrowed.
Evelyn: Clara died of natural causes six months ago. Her death certificate was signed by a certified physician.
Detective Reynolds: A physician who was relying on blood tests that didn't screen for synthetic digitalis compounds. The kind of compound stored in a locked drawer in your former law office.
Evelyn: That's absurd! You have no proof of any of this!
Detective Reynolds: We have high-definition video from July fourteenth, Evelyn. We watched you pour the liquid into her glass. We have full audio capture from the bedroom overhead mic.
Evelyn: Video... audio... you can't prove what was in that glass!
Detective Reynolds: We found the glass vial in your personal safety deposit box at Texas National Bank two hours ago. Our search warrant came through fast when the D.A. saw the bathroom video of the baby.
Evelyn leaned back against her chair, her face draining of all color. The polished, confident front was beginning to crack.
Evelyn: Carter... Carter promised to love me. He promised to protect me!
Detective Reynolds: Carter is the one who handed over the server encryption keys to us, ma'am. He wants you in prison for life.
Evelyn: He can't do this! I am his legal wife! I have rights to his estate!
Detective Reynolds: Under Texas slayer statute laws, any individual convicted or credibly accused of murdering or attempting to murder a benefactor loses all legal rights to their estate, trust funds, and marital assets.
Evelyn: No... no!
Detective Reynolds: You're done, Evelyn. The paper trail, the trust fund alterations, the poisons, the CCTV footage... it's a solid wall. You built your own cage.
Evelyn: I deserve that money! I worked for years building relationships in that firm! Clara was weak, and Carter was clueless!
Detective Reynolds: You can explain that to the judge during your arraignment tomorrow morning.
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