Chapter 9
By late afternoon, two county sheriff deputies parked their cruiser in Arthur’s driveway. The red and blue lights flashed rhythmically against the brick facade of the house, casting an eerie glow through the living room windows. Arthur stood by the front door, his hands trembling as he stared out at the uniformed officers walking up his front steps. Martha stood a few paces behind him, wringing her hands nervously against the fabric of her dark blue blouse. When the heavy knock echoed through the quiet hallway, Arthur hesitated before turning the brass doorknob. The officer standing in the center of the threshold was a tall, imposing man with a serious expression, holding a thick sheaf of official paperwork stamped with the county seal.
"Arthur Sterling?" the deputy asked, his voice entirely devoid of warmth.
May you like
"Yes," Arthur rasped, his throat feeling dry as sandpaper.
"You are being served with an emergency restraining order and a mandatory summons regarding allegations of child endangerment, psychological abuse, and domestic intimidation," the deputy stated, handing the papers directly into Arthur’s trembling grip. "You are strictly prohibited from contacting Elena Sterling or minor child Lily Sterling by any means, electronic or physical. Any violation will result in immediate arrest."
