Chapter 9 - Consequences
Detective Ramirez walked into the boutique, stepping carefully over the shattered glass and ruined merchandise.
He looked down at Chase, who was currently being treated by emergency paramedics before his transport to the prison hospital.
"He's wanted in three different states for armed extortion and racketeering," Ramirez told us, writing notes on a small pad.
"You did good tonight, Sarah."
I nodded, feeling completely exhausted and entirely numb to the chaos surrounding me.
Ramirez turned his attention to Madison, his expression hardening into a professional, unforgiving glare.
"Madison, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, grand theft, and forgery," the detective announced clearly.
Madison's eyes widened in sheer panic, and she looked desperately at me for salvation.
"Sarah, please," she begged, tears streaming rapidly down her face.
"You can't let them take me to jail, I won't survive in there!"
I simply stared at her, feeling absolutely no urge to protect her this time.
"You forged my signature to steal nearly three hundred thousand dollars," I reminded her calmly.
"You helped a violent criminal enter our father's home, resulting in him being beaten and tied up."
"Choices have consequences, Madison."
The officers gently but firmly pulled her to her feet, reciting her Miranda rights as they escorted her out of the ruined boutique.
Watching her being placed into the back of a police cruiser was the hardest thing I had ever witnessed, but I knew it was necessary.
Eric drove us back to my father's house as the sun began to slowly rise over the cold city skyline.
My father was exactly where we had left him, sitting alone in the dark kitchen.
When I told him that Madison had been officially arrested and charged with multiple felonies, he broke down and cried like a child.
He begged me to hire the best defense attorney in the state to bail her out.
"No," I told him firmly, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I am officially resigning as vice president of the construction company effective immediately."
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"You enable her terrible behavior, Dad, and I absolutely refuse to be a part of this toxic cycle anymore."
He looked at me as if I were a complete stranger, finally realizing that he had completely lost his favorite daughter to prison, and his loyal daughter to the truth.
