Chapter 7 - The Video Proof Display
Officer Miller stopped at the top of the stairs.
He looked between Julian's frantic face and my composure.
"Everyone lower your voices and stay still," Miller ordered.
Julian took a step toward Officer Miller, hands out.
"Officer, my mother has severe end-stage dementia," Julian claimed.
"She falls down constantly and bruises her frail body."
"Then she forgets how the bruises occurred on skin."
"This attorney here is manipulating an insane old woman!"
"She is trying to fabricate a crime to steal!"
Chloe nodded vigorously beside her husband, crying fake tears.
"It is true, Officer! Look at my mother-in-law!"
"We love her and care for her every day!"
I let out a cold, sharp laugh of satisfaction.
I tapped my phone screen to open video player.
"Would you like to hear her story, Officer Miller?"
I turned the phone screen toward Officer Miller directly.
I pressed the play button icon on the screen.
The high-definition video recording began playing with clear audio.
Margaret's voice echoed loudly through the upstairs hallway corridor:
"Julian tied my arms with heavy nylon rope today."
"Chloe slapped my face when I refused to sign."
"They locked me in the dark cellar for days."
The video showed close-up shots of her rope marks.
It displayed the dark purple bruises covering her shoulders.
The clear physical evidence was displayed for all officers.
Silence fell over the hallway like a heavy anvil.
Officer Miller's face hardened into dark, lethal disgust.
He looked up from the screen straight at Julian.
Julian's mouth worked silently, but no words came out.
Chloe's fake weeping stopped instantly as she froze.
Their elaborate dementia cover story was completely destroyed in seconds.
"Falling down doesn't leave nylon rope grooves, Julian," I said.
"And dementia doesn't create deep pattern slap marks."
Officer Miller pulled two pairs steel handcuffs from belt.
"Julian Vance and Chloe Vance, keep hands visible."
"You are under arrest for felony elder abuse."
"You are also charged with aggravated assault and fraud."
Julian backed away toward the open master bedroom doorway.
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"You can't touch me! I own this town!"
📖 Chapter 8 brings the sudden arrival of Julian's corrupt lawyer who tries to halt the arrest with a fraudulent injunction. 👇
