"Hands where I can see them! Don't you dare move!" The harsh bark of a uniformed officer shattered the quiet elegance of the luxury department store,

Before Victor Dubois could utter another threat, the heavy doors to the service hallway burst open.

A dozen armed officers in dark green uniforms poured into the room, led by State Police Captain Marcus Vance—my younger brother.

"State Police! Nobody move!" Marcus shouted, his hand resting on his sidearm holster as his troopers quickly surrounded the room, securing the exits and taking control of the scene from Metro officers.

Marcus walked straight up to me, assessing the situation with a quick, practiced glance. He looked at my suit, saw the red mark on my wrist where Thorne had clamped the cuff earlier, and his eyes turned to ice.

"Elena," Marcus said, his deep voice filled with controlled rage. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Marcus," I replied smoothly, handing him the black ledger. "We have the stolen property, the ledger, two primary suspects, and a confession from the store manager."

Marcus took the ledger, then turned his gaze onto Officers Thorne and Stone. "Which ones put hands on my sister?"

Caleb Stone looked like he was going to pass out right then and there. Sergeant Miller quickly stepped in. "Captain Vance, my officers were misled by false statements, but they are fully cooperating with the investigation now."

Marcus glared at Thorne and Stone. "Your department is going to undergo a complete internal affairs review by morning. Hand over your service weapons and report to headquarters immediately."

Thorne and Stone unbuckled their gun belts without a single word of protest, laying them quietly on the desk before walking out with their heads bowed in total disgrace.

Marcus turned to face Victor Dubois and his daughter.

"Victor Dubois," Marcus announced, pulling out a set of state police cuffs. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit grand larceny, commercial extortion, and money laundering. You have the right to remain silent..."

"This is a mistake!" Victor’s lawyer protested frantically, stepping forward with his briefcase open. "My client is a pillar of this community! We can settle this civilly!"

"Save it for the grand jury, counselor," Marcus snapped, stepping behind Victor and snapping the cuffs onto his wrists.

Selena began to sob uncontrollably as a female trooper stepped forward to handcuff her as well. The cold steel clicked tightly around her manicured wrists—the exact same sensation I had felt less than an hour ago on the sales floor.

"You ruined my life!" Selena screamed at me, her face flushed red with tears. "You stupid old woman! Do you know who I am?!"