Chapter 3 - The Arrival of Ruiz
The grand oak doors of the Howard estate were pushed open with sudden, absolute authority.
Detective Marcus Ruiz stepped into the foyer, flanked by four uniformed officers and two paramedics carrying a stretcher. Ruiz was a broad-shouldered man in a worn trench coat, his dark eyes sharp and unblinking as he scanned the scene.
"Nobody move," Ruiz commanded, his voice booming across the high ceilings.
Vanessa immediately wiped her eyes and rushed toward Ruiz, putting on her best distressed posture. "Detective! Thank God you're here! My cousin's wife... she had a psychotic breakdown! She tried to attack me on the stairs and fell! She needs psychiatric custody immediately!"
Mrs. Howard stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Detective, I witnessed it! Vanessa tried to help her! Elena has been destabilizing this family since my son fell ill!"
Detective Ruiz didn't look at Mrs. Howard. He didn't look at Vanessa. He walked straight past them, dropping to one knee beside Elena.
"Status?" Ruiz asked softly.
Elena sat up smoothly, unbuttoning her cardigan to reveal the lightweight fiberglass protective brace around her stomach and the tiny lapel microphone pinned to her blouse.
"Baby is fine, Marcus," Elena said, her voice clear, strong, and entirely devoid of panic. "The fall was controlled. And we have thirty minutes of continuous audio and high-definition video of the entire assault."
Vanessa backed away, her face draining of all color. "What... what are you talking about? What microphone?!"
The paramedics stepped forward, quickly helping Elena onto her feet. Elena stood tall, adjusting her sweater, looking directly into Vanessa’s terrified eyes.
"You thought you cleared the security cameras on the landing, Vanessa," Elena said, her tone as cold as winter ice. "You hired Tommy Miller to wipe the servers at noon today. But Tommy was working for the police two days ago."
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Ruiz stood up, pulling a thick manila folder and a federal warrant from his coat pocket.
"Vanessa Howard," Ruiz announced, holding up the warrant. "You are under arrest for attempted murder, corporate embezzlement, and the attempted poisoning of Arthur Howard."
