Chapter 5 - The Frame
Mrs. Gable opened the front door, and three men in sharp, identical black suits pushed past her into the grand foyer. Leading them was a tall, sharp-featured man holding an official-looking leather briefcase.
Miles stepped out of his study, his brow furrowing in instant authority. "What is the meaning of this? Who allowed you into my home?"
"Mr. Stewart," the lead man said, pulling an ID badge from his pocket. "I am Detective Miller with the Financial Crimes Division. We are executing a search warrant for these premises in connection with an ongoing corporate grand larceny investigation at Stewart Global Logistics."
Miles froze. "Grand larceny? At my company?"
Behind him, June stepped into the hallway, her heart sinking as she saw the officers.
"Two days ago," Detective Miller explained, opening his briefcase and holding up a legal document, "four hundred thousand dollars in bearer bonds and private bearer certificates were stolen from the executive vault at Stewart Global headquarters. Access logs indicate the vault was opened using an administrative clearance key card."
"That's impossible," Miles said firmly. "Only three people have access to that vault: myself, my CFO Arthur Pendelton, and my chief security officer."
"We checked the security footage, Mr. Stewart," Detective Miller said coldly. "The keycard used belonged to your former maintenance contractor. Furthermore, an anonymous informant provided evidence that stolen corporate assets were recently transferred to a domestic employee residing on this estate."
Detective Miller turned his cold gaze directly onto June. "June Mercer?"
June felt the room spin. "What? No... I don't even know where the vault is! I only cleaned the open office floors!"
"Detective, this is absurd!" Miles stepped in front of June, his voice booming through the foyer. "June Mercer has been at my estate for the past three weeks! She has had no access to the downtown headquarters!"
"We have a search warrant for her personal quarters and locker on these premises, Mr. Stewart," Miller insisted flatly. "If she has nothing to hide, you won't object to a search."
Two officers pushed past, heading toward the domestic staff lounge near the rear kitchen. June stood frozen, her hands trembling violently.
"Miles... I swear to you," June whimpered, her voice cracking with terror. "I didn't take anything. I have never stolen a penny in my life!"
Miles turned to her, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders. His eyes were steady, calm, and filled with an absolute, unshakeable trust that surprised even himself. "I know, June. I believe you. I know who you are."
Less than two minutes later, one of the officers walked back into the foyer, holding a clear plastic evidence bag. Inside the bag was a thick manila envelope stamped with the official seal of Stewart Global Logistics, overflowing with crisp, high-denomination bearer bonds.
"Found it in her staff locker," the officer declared. "Tucked behind her coat."
June let out a strangled gasp, her knees giving way. Miles caught her before she hit the floor, holding her upright.
"That’s a lie!" June sobbed, hysterically shaking her head. "I didn't put that there! I’ve never seen those papers before!"
"June Mercer, you are under arrest for grand larceny and corporate theft," Detective Miller said, pulling out a pair of steel handcuffs.
"Touch her, and I will have your badge by midnight!" Miles roared, stepping completely between the officer and June. "This is a setup! Someone planted those documents!"
"Mr. Stewart, step aside," Miller warned, placing a hand on his holster. "If you interfere with a felony arrest, I will charge you with obstruction of justice!"
"Miles... please," June wept, looking at him with desperate eyes. "Don't ruin yourself for me. Think of Ellie."
Miles looked at June, his heart breaking as he saw the terror in her eyes. He knew if he fought the police physically right now, he would be thrown in jail, leaving both June and Ellie completely defenseless against whoever was orchestrating this attack.
"June," Miles said, dropping his voice to a fierce, urgent whisper. "Look at me."
June looked into his eyes.
"I will get you out," Miles promised, his voice laced with absolute, terrifying resolve. "I will hire every elite defense attorney in this country. I will tear this city apart until I find the person who did this to you. Trust me."
The officers pulled June away, snapping the cold metal cuffs around her wrists. They escorted her out the front door into the rain-slicked night, the red and blue lights of the police cruisers flashing against the white marble pillars of the mansion.
May you like
Upstairs, sitting near the window of her nursery, five-year-old Ellie watched through the glass as her beloved June was loaded into the back of a police car.
Ellie clutched her doll against her chest, her eyes wide with terror, and for the first time in eighteen months, she dragged her brace-less legs across the floor, screaming her father's name.
