The voice on the other end of the phone remained silent for a moment.
“Identify yourself,” the man repeated, slower this time.
David rolled his eyes and leaned casually against the counter.
“This is David Miller, Anna’s husband. Your daughter is being dramatic and—”
Before he could finish, I forced myself to speak through the pain.
“Dad… it’s Anna.”
The silence that followed felt heavier than anything in the room.
Then my father’s voice changed completely.
“Anna. Are you safe?”
David smirked and muttered under his breath, “What is this, some retired mechanic trying to sound tough?”
“I’m at David’s house,” I said quietly. “Something happened… I need help.”
My father didn’t ask any more questions.
“Stay where you are,” he said. “Help is already on the way.”
David laughed loudly.
“Help? From who? Your imaginary friends?”
He ended the call and tossed the phone onto the counter.
“You really thought that little performance would scare me?”
Sylvia stepped into the kitchen, looking irritated.
“David, the guests are asking where the turkey is. What’s taking so—”
At that exact moment, the distant sound of sirens echoed down the street.
David frowned.
“That’s strange.”
The sirens grew louder.
Then louder.
And louder still.
Through the window, red and blue lights reflected across the snow outside.
Sylvia moved toward the curtains and pulled them back.
Her face drained of color.
“David… why are there so many police cars?”
Not one.
Not two.
But an entire line of vehicles had stopped in front of the house.
Police officers stepped out first.
Then a black government sedan pulled up behind them.
A tall man stepped out slowly, adjusting his coat.
Even from the kitchen window, I recognized him instantly.
My father.
David squinted.
“Who the hell is that?”
Before anyone could answer, the front door opened and several officers walked inside.
One of them spoke firmly.
“David Miller?”
“Yes?” he replied, suddenly less confident.
“You need to come with us.”
David scoffed. “On what grounds?”
The officer glanced toward the doorway behind him.
“That would be explained by the Chief Justice.”
My father stepped into the room.
The entire house fell silent.
David’s smirk disappeared the moment he realized who was standing in front of him.
My father looked at me first, his expression tight with concern.
Then his eyes moved slowly to David.
“Counselor,” he said calmly.
David’s voice cracked.
“Y-Your Honor… I didn’t realize—”
My father didn’t raise his voice.
He didn’t need to.
“You didn’t realize many things tonight.”
The officer placed a hand on David’s shoulder.
“You’re under investigation for assault and obstruction.”
The guests in the dining room had gone completely quiet.
Sylvia looked as if she might faint.
And for the first time since I had walked into that house… someone finally believed me.
