Six Feet Above Truth

“GET ON THE GROUND! NOW!”

The command didn't come from a bystander.

Detective Miller burst around the corner of the alley, his tactical jacket soaked, his weapon drawn and locked on Richard’s chest. Behind him, three uniform officers swarmed the sidewalk, weapons raised.

Richard froze, his hands slowly coming up from his coat, the tire iron clattering against the asphalt.

“Miller, listen to me—” Richard started, his voice adopting a smooth, desperate charm. “It’s a misunderstanding. Claire suffered a medical anomaly—”

“Shut up, Richard,” Miller snarled, stepping forward and kicking Richard’s legs out from under him.

Richard hit the wet pavement face-first. Officer Jennings dropped his knee onto Richard’s shoulder blades, pulling his arms behind his back and snapping steel handcuffs over his wrists with two sharp CLICKS.

“Richard Vance,” Miller recited, his voice trembling with anger, “you are under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping, and corporate fraud.”

The crowd gasped, phones recording every second from the sidewalk.

Claire sank to her knees on the wet sidewalk, the strength finally completely draining from her limbs. Ethan threw his arms around her neck, holding her tight as the rain poured over them.

Detective Miller knelt beside them, shedding his heavy dark jacket and wrapping it around Claire’s shivering shoulders.

“I’m sorry, Claire,” Miller murmured, his eyes filled with genuine shame. “I should have questioned Dr. Evans’ death report. I should have looked deeper.”

“The ledger…” Claire rasped, clutching Miller’s forearm. “In the safe at our house… the real offshore accounts… Dr. Evans was paid two million…”

“We’ll get it all,” Miller promised gently. “An ambulance is on the way. You’re safe now.”

As the officers hauled a swearing, struggling Richard into the back of a police cruiser, Ethan looked up into his mother’s pale, bruised face.

She pulled his head down, pressing a soft, trembling kiss against his forehead.

And then, she tapped her fingers against the back of his hand.

One. Two. Three.

*I love you.*

Ethan closed his eyes, tears finally spilling past his lashes, mixing with the cold rain.