Down outside the grand iron entry gates of the Grand Horizon Hotel, a crowd of tourists had gathered.
Julian was sitting on his knees on the concrete sidewalk, his navy suit covered in gray dust.
Veronica stood beside him, furiously trying to dial her personal bankruptcy lawyer on her cell phone.
Veronica: Pick up! Pick up, you useless attorney! We're being locked out on the street!
Julian: It's over, Veronica. Don't you get it? She cut off the credit line!
Veronica: She can't do this without a court order, Julian! Call the local police department!
Julian: I called them ten minutes ago! They told me the hotel property is registered under the Sterling Family Revocable Trust!
Veronica: So what?! You have a management contract signed by the hotel board!
Julian: That contract had a moral turpitude clause, Veronica! If I mistreat guests or steal funds, it gets voided instantly!
Veronica: You told me you owned this place free and clear when we started dating six months ago!
Julian: I lied, alright?! I was just the managing director! I didn't own a single marble tile!
Veronica stared down at him in total disgust, dropping her handbag onto her shoulder.
Veronica: You pathetic, lying fraud! I wasted six months of my life acting like your queen!
Julian: Veronica, please! Don't leave me here alone on the street!
Veronica: Get away from me! I'm catching a rideshare back to my apartment before the media gets here!
She turned on her high heels and stormed off down the sidewalk, leaving Julian alone in the dirt.
Two white police cruisers pulled up to the curb with their blue lights flashing quietly.
Detective Marcus stepped out of the lead vehicle, pulling a thick warrant folder from his jacket.
Detective Marcus: Julian Vance?
Julian: Detective... please. I can explain everything about the hotel bank accounts.
Detective Marcus: Stand up and place your hands behind your back, sir.
Julian: Is this about the maintenance fund transfer? It was just a short-term temporary loan!
Detective Marcus: You're under arrest for grand larceny, wire fraud, and illegal eviction under state statutes.
The detective pulled Julian to his feet, snapping cold steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
Julian: Let me talk to Clara! Let me speak to Mrs. Sterling for just two minutes!
Detective Marcus: Mrs. Sterling filed a full criminal complaint and a permanent restraining order against you ten minutes ago.
Julian: She can't do this to me! My father was her husband's best business partner!
Detective Marcus: Your father was an honest man, Julian. You should have learned something from him instead of trying to steal from a widow.
The officers loaded Julian into the back seat of the police cruiser, slamming the door shut.
Up on the penthouse balcony, Clara stood watching the police cars drive away down the sunlit boulevard.