Chapter 3 - The Arrival of the Law
Within six minutes, the wail of police sirens echoed down the gated private drive. Flashing red and blue strobe lights illuminated the tall stained-glass windows of the entryway.
Three patrol cruisers and an unmarked detective sedan skidded to a halt on the gravel courtyard.
Heavy footsteps pounded up the front steps, and Detective Sarah Morales of the Cook County Major Crimes Division entered, accompanied by four armed officers.
"Everyone keep their hands where I can see them," Detective Morales commanded, taking in the scene: me holding a crying infant, Olivia beside Clara, and Vanessa backed against the mahogany display cabinet, hyperventilating.
"Detective Morales," I said, stepping forward. "I'm Adrian Sterling. The recording is cued on the main screen."
Detective Morales walked over to the monitor. Olivia replayed the video.
Morales watched in silence. As the footage showed Vanessa’s calculated two-handed shove of the stroller toward a fourteen-foot drop onto marble, Morales’s jaw set into an iron line.
"Officer Davies," Morales said without looking away from the screen. "Cuff her."
"No! You can't do this! I'm his fiancée! We're getting married in June!" Vanessa screamed as Officer Davies grabbed her wrists and ratcheted steel cuffs around them. "Adrian, tell them! Tell them it was an accident! I didn't mean it!"
"Read her rights," Morales ordered.
"Vanessa Thorne, you are under arrest for Attempted First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Child Endangerment, and False Reporting of a Felony," Officer Davies recited, pushing her toward the front doors.
As Vanessa was dragged across the threshold, she turned back, her face twisted in pure, venomous hatred. "You think you've won, Adrian? You think you're safe? You have no idea what's coming for you and your pathetic brats!"
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Detective Morales stepped toward me, pulling out a small black notepad. "Mr. Sterling, we need to take Clara and Olivia to the precinct for formal statements. Forensics is on their way to clone that local server."
"Take whatever you need, Detective," I said, kissing Emma’s soft forehead. "Whatever it takes to ensure she never sees daylight again."
