Chapter 5 - The Knock at the Door
The police didn't come for the hotel bill.
They came for something much more serious.
While the manager was arguing with Eleanor,
three officers stepped into the room.
"Eleanor Miller?"
the lead officer asked.
"Yes,
what is the meaning of this?"
she demanded,
her voice trembling.
"You are under arrest for felony endangerment of a vulnerable person,"
"and grand larceny,"
the officer stated.
Chloe gasped,
dropping her champagne glass.
"What?
This is a mistake!
We're just on vacation!"
"Your son provided the security footage,"
the officer said,
pulling out a pair of handcuffs.
"We've seen how you left your daughter-in-law."
"We've seen the empty fridge,
the blood,
and the note you left behind."
"In New York,
that's a crime."
Mark tried to step in,
but he was quickly restrained.
"You're also being questioned regarding the theft of fourteen thousand dollars,"
the officer added.
The hotel guests watched in silence as the "wealthy" family was led through the lobby.
Eleanor was shouting about how David would pay for this.
Chloe was crying,
her mascara running down her face.
They were put into the back of a squad car,
the neon lights of Miami reflecting off the windows.
Back in New York,
I received a text from the officer.
"Subjects in custody.
Happy New Year,
David."
I didn't feel happy.
I felt a profound sense of relief,
but also a deep,
hollow sadness.
I had lost my mother and my sister tonight.
But I had saved my wife and my son.
I walked back into Maya’s hospital room.
She was awake,
her eyes a bit brighter.
Liam was sleeping in a heated bassinet nearby.
"They're gone,
Maya,"
I whispered,
taking her hand.
"They can never hurt you again."
May you like
She didn't ask where they went.
She just squeezed my hand and went back to sleep.
