Chapter 6 - Headlights in the Snow
The halogen headlights of two Placer County Sheriff cruisers swept across the pine trees lining the private driveway, painting long, frantic shadows against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Lake Tahoe villa.
Inside, the panicked scramble had turned into a full-scale rout. Suitcases were half-zipped, clothes were strewn across the leather armchairs, and Olivia was near tears as she tried to shove winter coats back into a bulging duffel bag.
“They’re here! The police are actually here!” Olivia hissed, looking wildly toward the front window. “Dad, what do we tell them? What lies can we possibly tell them now?”
Dad stood frozen in the center of the dark living room, his hands trembling as he stared at the flashing red and blue lights reflecting off the hardwood floor. The aura of patriarchal authority he had worn so comfortably just hours ago had completely evaporated, leaving behind a frail, terrified old man who had finally hit the concrete wall of reality.
A heavy knock rattled the front door.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
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“Placer County Sheriff’s Department! Open the door immediately or we will force entry!” a gruff voice commanded from the porch.
David swallowed hard, his hands shaking so violently he could barely hold his car keys. “We have to open it. If we don't, they’ll break the locks, and then we’re looking at resisting arrest on top of felony trespassing.”
