Justice Served

Within seven minutes, red and blue lights flashed across the wide glass windows of the front foyer as two police cruisers pulled into the driveway.

Officer Davis: Mr. Hayes? I’m Officer Davis. Is everyone okay in here?

Mark: Officer, my son is upstairs with my daughter. The paramedic unit just pulled up behind you.

Sarah: Officer, he’s lying! He assaulted me and threw me onto the stairs!

Officer Davis: Ma'am, please remain seated right where you are.

Mark walked over to the desk, opened his laptop, and handed a flash drive directly to the lead officer.

Mark: Here is the raw video file showing her standing over my son as he fell, along with the audio file of her admitting she staged it to void our prenuptial agreement.

The officer inserted the drive into his portable device, watching the video play out alongside his partner.

Officer Davis: Ma'am, stand up and place your hands behind your back.

Sarah: What? You’re arresting ME? I’m his wife!

Officer Davis: You are under arrest for felony child endangerment, attempted grand larceny, and filing a false report.

The cold metallic click of handcuffs echoed through the foyer as Sarah began to weep hysterically, her mask completely destroyed.

Sarah: Mark! Please! Don't let them take me away! I love you!

Mark: You didn't love me, Sarah. You loved what you thought you could take from my children.

The officers led Sarah out the front doors as the paramedics came inside to examine baby Leo, confirming he had escaped with only minor bruising.

Mark walked upstairs, opening the nursery door where Lily was holding her little brother safely in her arms.

Mark: He’s safe now, sweetheart. She’s never coming back.

Lily: I’m glad you checked the camera, Dad.

Mark: Me too, Lily. Me too.