Chapter 6 - The Interrogation Begins
The rhythmic pounding on the front door shook the entire frame of the dilapidated house. Two police officers in dark tactical vests stood on the porch, their faces grim and professional in the harsh morning light. Martha hastily smoothed down her pink silk robe, forcing a trembling, brittle smile onto her face as she unlatched the heavy wooden door, while Mark hovered aggressively just over her shoulder.
"Good morning, Officers. Is there a problem?" Martha asked, her voice dripping with practiced, oily innocence.
The lead officer, a stern-faced woman with iron-grey hair and a silver badge pinned to her chest, didn't bother to return the greeting. She stepped past Martha without an invitation, her eyes sweeping the cluttered living room before landing on Mark. "We received an anonymous tip regarding a break-in at the First National bank vault early this morning, and the recovery address listed matches this household."
From her vantage point at the top of the stairs, Chloe watched the scene unfold with bated breath. Her fingers curled tightly around the wooden banister.
"That’s absurd!" Mark barked, taking a menacing step forward. "We’ve been home all morning! Haven't we, Martha?"
"Exactly," Martha chimed in, her voice rising in defensive pitch. "We are hardworking, law-abiding citizens. You have no right to barge in here without a proper warrant!"
"We have a court-signed search order for any stolen securities and forged property deeds," the officer replied calmly, holding up a transparent plastic document holder. She turned her gaze upward, spotting Chloe standing in the shadows of the landing. "And who is that upstairs?"
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Before Martha could answer, a loud crash echoed from the back of the house as the rear door was breached by the second team of officers, setting off a chaotic scramble of shouting voices and heavy boots.
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