Uncle Mark: Don't even think about running, Richard. The doors are blocked.
Father: I’m not running! I’m innocent! She hit her head in the car accident, she doesn't know what she’s saying!
Sarah: The accident wasn't an accident! He cut my brakes on Highway 9!
Grandmother: Dear Lord in heaven... Richard, tell me this isn't true!
Father: Mother, she’s crazy! She suffered brain damage in the crash!
Sarah: I didn't crash! I pulled over when the pedal went soft! He was following me in his truck! He pulled me out of the vehicle and drugged me!
Two police officers burst through the front double doors of Saint Jude’s Chapel, their guns unholstered at their sides[span_34](start_span)[span_34](end_span). Behind them came two paramedics carrying a stretcher[span_35](start_span)[span_35](end_span).
Police Officer 1: Hands where we can see them! Nobody move!
Uncle Mark: Over here! We have a woman who was locked alive inside this casket!
Police Officer 1: What in the world...
Father: Officer, thank goodness! My wife was declared dead by Dr. Vance at Memorial Hospital! There has been a terrible medical mistake!
Sarah: He’s lying! Check his pocket! He has a syringe in his jacket pocket right now! The sedation was wearing off!
Police Officer 2: Stand still, sir. Step away from the altar.
Father: I won't be treated like a criminal in my own wife’s funeral!
Officer 2 grabbed Richard by the arm and slammed him against the marble pillar near the flag display[span_36](start_span)[span_36](end_span). Richard struggled, screaming obscenities as the officer reached into his inner coat pocket[span_37](start_span)[span_37](end_span). Out came a small plastic case containing two vials of clear liquid and an unused syringe[span_38](start_span)[span_38](end_span).
Police Officer 2: We got a heavy sedative here. What’s this for, sir?
Father: That’s... that’s for my anxiety! My doctor prescribed it!
Sarah: He used it on me at the garage! He kept me asleep in the basement for two days while he set up this fake funeral!
Grandmother: You monster! You absolute monster! That is the mother of your child!
Father: She was going to divorce me! She was taking the entire estate! The house, the business, the custody of Toby!
Sarah: Because you embezzled two million dollars from our family business, Richard!
Father: It was my money too! I built that firm!
Police Officer 1: Richard Miller, you are under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping, and insurance fraud. You have the right to remain silent.
Father: Toby! Tell them! Tell them I’m your dad! Tell them to let me go!
Toby stood close to the stretcher as the paramedics wrapped his shaking mother in a warm silver blanket[span_39](start_span)[span_39](end_span). He looked back at his father in cuffs, his small face stone cold[span_40](start_span)[span_40](end_span).
Toby: You told me Mom was in heaven. But you put her in the dark.
Father: Toby, please!
Toby: I hate you.
The officers dragged Richard out of the chapel while the funeral guests stood in stunned, horrified silence[span_41](start_span)[span_41](end_span). Paramedics gently lifted Sarah onto the gurney, cut the remaining zip ties from her ankles, and hooked her up to an oxygen mask[span_42](start_span)[span_42](end_span).
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