Chapter 3 - Flashing Red Lights
Within fifteen minutes, the quiet gravel driveway of the estate was illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of three county cruiser vehicles.
Sheriff Arthur Barnes stepped through the double oak doors, his heavy duty boots clicking against the polished marble.
He took off his campaign hat, scanning the gathered socialites and the tense atmosphere.
"Daniel, what happened here?" Sheriff Barnes asked, looking at the security feed still displayed on the screen.
"Assault and attempted felony grand larceny, Arthur," Daniel answered directly, handing over the downloaded thumb drive containing the unedited video files.
"Miss Vance physically assaulted Emily Porter and attempted to frame her for the theft of an eighty-thousand-dollar diamond necklace.
"
Sheriff Barnes watched the footage on a portable tablet provided by the precinct tech unit.
His brow furrowed deeply as he observed Vanessa’s deliberate actions in the staff coatroom.
"Miss Vance, step over here, please," Barnes commanded, gesturing toward the adjacent library.
"I want my attorney present before I say another word," Vanessa snapped, her former elegance dissolving into pure hostility.
"You have the right to legal counsel," Barnes said calmly, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from his utility belt.
"You also have the right to remain silent while I place you under arrest for misdemeanor assault and filing a false police report.
Turn around and put your hands behind your back.
"
A chorus of whispers rippled through the gathered guests as the steel cuffs clicked around Vanessa's wrists.
Her face flushed crimson with shame as two deputies escorted her down the front steps into the cold night air.
Daniel turned his attention back to Emily, who sat quietly on the mahogany chair.
"Arthur, ensure Miss Vance's vehicle is impounded and searched," Daniel called out to the sheriff.
"I believe there is more to this than a simple grudge against my staff.
"
Emily looked up at Daniel, her brown eyes wide with lingering fear.
"Mr.
May you like
Hawthorne, there’s something you need to know about the library deliveries from yesterday.
"
