Chapter 7 - Handcuffs in the Foyer
At 4:30 PM, the heavy oak front doors of the estate opened once more.
Detective Sarah Morales and three armed officers from the County Financial Crimes and Special Victims Unit walked into the foyer, accompanied by Assistant District Attorney Robert Hayes.
"Julian Sterling?" Detective Morales announced, pulling a signed arrest warrant from her jacket.
Julian looked up with hollow, defeated eyes. He didn't even attempt to stand.
"You are under arrest for Grand Larceny in excess of one million dollars, Corporate Embezzlement, Falsification of Business Records, and Domestic Child Endangerment," Detective Morales recited.
Officer Davies stepped forward, pulling Julian's arms behind his back and ratcheting heavy steel handcuffs over his wrists.
"Elena... please don't do this," Julian whispered, tears of terror and humiliation finally spilling down his cheeks. "Think of Maya! Her father will be a convict!"
I walked up to him, standing tall and unwavering.
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"Maya will grow up knowing her mother was strong enough to protect her from a monster," I said quietly. "You gave up the right to call yourself her father the moment you swung that club at her crib."
As the officers dragged Julian out the front door, past the splintered wood on the lawn and into the back of the patrol cruiser, neighbors gathered at the edge of the street, watching the disgraced executive being hauled away in disgrace.
