Katherine violently shoved five-year-old Clara out of her chair, sending the toddler crashing to the floor as water spilled everywhere, viciously shrieking that the "filthy parasite" was dirtying her seat.

The front gates of the Keller estate rattled open with a heavy mechanical groan that echoed down the long circular driveway.

Outside the bay windows, the quiet suburban dusk was shattered by the flashing red and blue lights of three unmarked black sedans accelerating up the private road.

Katherine looked out the window and shrieked, backing into the corner of the staircase like a feral cat. “They’re here! Oh God, they’re here! Dad, do something!”

Richard didn't move. He stood in the center of the foyer, his hands trembling at his sides, staring at the floorboards as if the earth were opening beneath his feet.

“Jocelyn...” Eleanor sobbed, crawling across the floor, her manicured fingers catching the hem of Jocelyn’s trousers once more. “Please... have mercy. He is an old man. He won't survive a federal trial. He has a heart condition!”

Jocelyn looked down at her mother with eyes as cold as dead stars. “When Clara was choking on fluid in that hospital bed, Richard told me that weakness should be put up for adoption. He can explain his heart condition to the federal warden.”

The heavy oak front doors swung wide open.

Four federal agents in dark tactical windbreakers bearing the yellow lettering of the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - OIG stepped across the threshold, flanked by two uniformed state troopers. At their lead was an investigator with graying hair and a steel clipboard.

“Richard Keller?” the investigator announced, his voice slicing through the crying in the hall.

Richard slowly lifted his head. “Yes.”

“I have an arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York,” the investigator said, stepping forward with handcuffs unclipped from his belt. “You are charged with federal bribery of a military official, conspiracy to alter deployment directives, and wire fraud resulting in loss of life. Turn around and place your hands behind your back.”

“No! Richard!” Eleanor screamed, throwing herself against the investigator’s arm, only to be firmly and professionally pushed aside by a state trooper.

“Ma'am, step back immediately or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice,” the trooper warned.

Richard offered no resistance. He turned slowly, his shoulders sagging, and held his wrists together. The cold steel cuffs snapped shut with two sharp, metallic clicks that reverberated through the marble foyer like gunshots.

As the agents turned him toward the door, Richard looked at Jocelyn one last time. His eyes were hollow, stripped of all pride, stripped of all wealth.

“Jocelyn...” he whispered. “What about the house?”

“The house belongs to Clara now,” Jocelyn said. “I’m tearing it down on Wednesday to build a community pediatric center in David’s name.”

Richard closed his eyes, a single tear cutting through the dust on his cheek, and let the agents lead him down the front steps into the flashing blue lights.

Two more agents stepped toward Katherine, who was huddled under the stairs, clutching her knees, her designer dress smeared with red wine and tears.

“Katherine Keller?” the second agent asked. “We have a warrant for your arrest regarding felony data fabrication and criminal securities fraud.”

“I have a lawyer!” Katherine shrieked, thrashing her legs as the agents lifted her by her arms. “My lawyer is on his way! You can’t touch me! Jocelyn, tell them! Tell them you made it up!”

Jocelyn didn't even look at her.

She turned her back on her sister’s screams, walked to the doorway, and picked Clara up into her arms once more. Clara wrapped her small arms tightly around Jocelyn’s neck, hiding her face from the flashing lights outside.