Chapter 6 - The Uninvited Guests
Wednesday and Thursday passed in a blur of legal preparations.
Thomas Sterling worked around the clock, filing police reports, coordinating with federal investigators, and securing a temporary restraining order that prevented Arthur or Vanessa from coming within 1,000 feet of my house or the girls' school.
On Friday evening, the night before the wedding, a knock came at my front door.
I opened it to find two uniformed police officers accompanied by a woman wearing a badge from Georgia Child Protective Services.
"Mr. Miller?" the CPS officer said, looking at her clipboard. "We received an emergency complaint from Arthur Bennett claiming that his children are living in unsafe conditions and being subjected to emotional abuse."
I stepped aside, opening the door wide. "Come in, officers. See for yourselves."
The officers walked into the living room.
The house was warm, spotless, and smelled of baked chicken and fresh apple pie. In the dining room, Rachel and April were sitting at the table finishing their homework, while Lucy was helping me set the dinner plates. The refrigerator was filled with fresh food, and colorful drawings made by April were pinned neatly to the walls.
The CPS officer walked through the house, checking the girls' bedrooms, looking at the clean sheets, the toys, and the medical supplies stocked neatly in the bathroom.
She walked back down to the living room, her expression softening completely.
"Mr. Miller," she said, closing her folder. "This is one of the cleanest, safest homes I've inspected all year. Mr. Bennett claimed the children were being held in a dilapidated shack without power or food."
"Arthur Bennett is a desperate man trying to save his reputation," I said quietly.
The lead police officer took off his hat, letting out a heavy sigh. "Mr. Miller, we watched the news report yesterday. Every officer in this precinct knows what that man did at the cemetery. We're filing a report for false emergency reporting against Mr. Bennett tonight."
As the officers prepared to leave, the CPS worker paused at the door, turning back to look at me.
"Mr. Miller, Mr. Bennett's legal team filed an emergency motion to hold his wedding tomorrow afternoon at the Historic Savannah Country Club. He invited the local media to show he's a 'reformed family man.'"
"I know," I said.
"Are you going?" she asked softly.
May you like
I looked back at my three granddaughters sitting at the dining room table, their faces calm, safe, and loved.
"We have an appointment there at 2:00 PM," I replied. "We wouldn't miss it for the world."
