Part 7: The Fire at the Family Estate
Flames shoot meters high from the roof of the centuries-old Vance villa as we arrive at the estate in the police cruiser. Fire trucks wail, thick black smoke clouds spread across the sprawling grounds, and the red glow illuminates the night sky. Spectators and journalists crowd behind the red-and-white police tape. My father stands in the middle of the lawn in his bathrobe, wildly gesticulating at the fire chief.
My mother weeps hysterically in the arms of one of their lawyers, her expensive diamond earrings flashing in the firelight. As soon as she sees me step out of the police cruiser, her crying freezes. Her eyes flare with pure hatred. "You! You did this!" she shrieks as she rushes forward, held back by two officers. "You took everything from us and now you're setting our house on fire!" I step calmly out of the car, flanked by lawyer Harrison and Inspector De Jong.
I look her straight in the eye, without a shred of fear. "I didn't touch anything, mother. But it seems your own greed has finally gone up in flames." Inspector De Jong steps forward and pulls out his badge. "Victor Vance and Helena Vance, you are both placed under arrest on suspicion of premeditated arson, financial fraud, and the murder of Mrs. Evelyn Vance." Handcuffs snap shut around my father's wrists as he loudly screams that it is a conspiracy.
My mother drops to her knees on the grass. As the flames consume the estate, for the first time in sixteen years, I feel a deep, liberating peace wash over me. But then Inspector De Jong taps my shoulder and points to a parked black car in the distance. "Lucas, do you see that car over there? It's been parked there since we arrived... and the driver has been watching you the entire time."
