Chapter 4 - The Tables Turn
Two police officers in full uniform strode purposefully down the center aisle, followed closely by my sister Rebecca, who looked exhausted but fiercely vindictive.
Rebecca marched straight up to the altar, glaring daggers at Florence. She turned to me, nodding reassuringly. "Jonathan, the doctors checked her over. Christina has a severe concussion and oxygen deprivation from being locked in that trunk, but she's stable. She's awake, and she wants this monster locked away for the rest of her life."
The two police officers stopped directly in front of Florence. One of them pulled a pair of shiny steel handcuffs from his belt.
"Florence Fairmont, you are under arrest for attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault, grand larceny, and corporate fraud," the lead officer stated loudly, his voice echoing off the crystal chandeliers.
Florence snapped. The mask of sophistication shattered completely. She lunged forward like a wildcat, screaming obscenities at me, at the officers, and at the horrified guests.
"You old fool! You pathetic, senile old fool!" she shrieked, spitting venom as the officers forced her hands behind her back and snapped the handcuffs into place. "Without me, you're nothing! You would have died lonely in that big empty house! I deserved that money! I deserved every single cent!"
"Take her out of my sight," I said coldly, turning my back on her as the officers dragged her kicking and screaming up the aisle, past the rows of stunned, disgusted guests.
The heavy doors slammed shut behind them, sealing her fate.
The ballroom was left in a stunned silence. I turned back to face the 120 guests, many of whom were close business partners, lifelong friends, and family members. I adjusted the lapel microphone, took a deep breath, and spoke from the bottom of my heart.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I began, my voice steady and clear. "I want to apologize to every single one of you. You came here today to celebrate what you thought was a joyous union. Instead, you witnessed the unmasking of a criminal. I was blind, blinded by vanity and loneliness. But my three-year-old grandson had more wisdom, more courage, and more loyalty than I did."
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A warm ripple of emotional murmurs and scattered, supportive applause moved through the crowd. My old business partner, Arthur, stood up from the front row and nodded respectfully.
"We are canceling the wedding reception," I announced firmly. "Instead, I invite every single one of you to join me across the street at the hospital pavilion, where my daughter Christina is recovering, so we can celebrate her survival, my grandson's bravery, and a very lucky escape from a bullet I should never have dodged."
