“That paper is nothing,” my father lied, his voice cracking. “It was a draft. A family matter.”

“We have been monitoring this house for three hours, Mr. Parker,” Detective Vance said.

“Mr. Pendelton here has been broadcasting his audio feed to our vehicle,” the detective explained.

Arthur reached down and tapped his phone screen, turning off the transmitter.

“Every word you said was recorded, Richard,” Arthur said quietly.

“You trapped me,” my father whispered, his face turning pale.

“No,” Arthur said. “You trapped yourself.”

One of the uniform officers stepped forward with handcuffs.

“Please put your hands behind your back, Mr. Parker,” the officer said.

My father took a step back, his back hitting the sideboard.

“Get away from me,” he warned. “Do you know who I am?”

“I know exactly who you are,” the officer said.

He grabbed my father’s arm.

My father struggled for a second, but the officer was stronger.

The cold metal of the handcuffs clicked loudly around his wrists.

My father looked at me, his eyes filled with pure rage.

“You did this,” he hissed. “You ruined this family.”