Chapter 2 - The Red and Blue Glow
Four armed police officers rushed up the marble steps, their heavy boots crunching on the ice. The lead officer, a tall man with a severe expression, took one look at the shattered door, my defensive stance, and Maya shivering violently in her soaked clothes.
"Who called 911?" the officer demanded, his hand resting on his duty belt.
"I did," I replied, pulling my phone from my pocket and ending the open call. "My daughter has been assaulted and unlawfully locked outside in freezing temperatures by her husband."
Julian immediately threw his hands up, shifting instantly into the role of the charming, aggrieved executive. "Officers, this is a massive misunderstanding! My wife is having a severe mental health episode. She ran outside in a manic state. Her father barged in here and broke our door!"
"He’s lying!" Maya whimpered, burying her face into my chest.
Eleanor stepped forward, clutching her pearls. "It’s true, officer. The poor girl is deeply unwell. We were just trying to calm her down."
The lead officer looked at Julian, then at Maya. "Ma'am, step away from the men, please."
I gently guided Maya to the officer. The bright tactical flashlight illuminated her face. The officer’s expression hardened immediately when he saw the dark purple bruising on her jaw and the unmistakable, crescent-shaped fingernail marks dug deep into her forearms.
"Those injuries didn't come from the cold," the officer said, his voice dropping an octave. He turned to his partner. "Cuff him."
"What?!" Julian shrieked, backing away as two officers grabbed his arms. "You can't arrest me! I know the mayor! I’m a respected businessman!"
May you like
"Julian!" his father, Arthur, finally yelled, his face turning purple with rage. "Officers, you have no right to do this!"
"Arthur, shut up," I said quietly. The older man froze. I turned to the police. "I have the deed to this house in my briefcase in the truck. This property belongs to my daughter. I want these three individuals removed from the premises immediately for trespassing."
