Chapter 7 - The Arrest
We stood behind the police barricade as Detective Harris and six armed officers moved silently toward the glowing greenhouse at the back of the estate.
Through the cracked glass panes of the greenhouse, we could see the beams of flashlights bouncing off the walls. Two figures were frantically pulling down old shelves, throwing plastic pots and glass jars into a large black trash bag.
"Move in! Police!" Harris’s voice boomed through the quiet night air.
The flashlights inside the greenhouse scattered like panicked fireflies. We heard a loud crash of breaking glass, a scream from Kara, and the sound of Julian trying to run through the side door, only to be tackled into the muddy grass by two deputies.
"Get off me! Get off me!" Julian shrieked, his expensive jacket covered in filth. "This is private property! You have no right!"
"Julian Bennett, you are under arrest for attempted murder, conspiracy, and financial fraud," Harris said calmly, clicking the handcuffs around his wrists.
Kara was led out of the greenhouse a moment later, her face pale, her hands covered in dirt. She was clutching a small, sealed glass vial containing a thick, yellowish liquid.
She looked up and saw me standing near the police cars, the flashing red and blue lights illuminating her face.
The look she gave me was not one of anger. It was a look of pure, agonizing realization. She knew I had set the trap. She knew the sister she had tried to exploit had outsmarted her completely.
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"Emily," she sobbed, trying to pull away from the officer holding her. "Emily, please! I didn't want to do it! Julian made me! He said we would lose everything! Please, Emily!"
I did not move. I did not speak. I stood beside Michael, watching as they pushed my sister into the back of the police cruiser. The doors slammed shut, cutting off her screams, leaving only the quiet hum of the night.
