Chapter 10 — Authorities arrive to question the trespassing contractor — Restoring peace to the living room as Chloe stops crying
Red and blue lights flashed brightly against the front windows of the suburban house.
Two patrol cars pulled up sharply along the curb outside.
Uniformed officers stepped out and walked up the front walkway.
Caleb opened the front door to greet them.
He pointed down the street toward a parked white utility van idling near the corner.
That is his vehicle right there, Caleb told the officers.
The two policemen nodded firmly and headed back toward their cruiser.
They drove down the block and pulled in directly behind the idling van.
Evelyn watched anxiously from the living room window.
She nervously smoothed down the front of her dark blue dress.
Chloe stood quietly beside her near the sofa.
The little girl was still wearing her bright yellow hoodie.
The frantic crying had finally stopped.
Minutes later, the police cruiser rolled back up the driveway.
A handcuffed man in a work vest sat securely in the back seat.
The officers walked up to the front door and stepped inside.
They handed Evelyn her recovered smartphone.
Everything is sorted out now, the lead officer explained.
He admitted to taking the device and disabling the sensor logs to mess with your smart home system.
He is facing formal trespassing and harassment charges.
Evelyn took the phone in her hand.
She let out a long breath she felt like she had been holding for hours.
Thank you, she murmured sincerely to the officers.
They nodded and headed back out to complete their paperwork.
The heavy front door clicked shut, locking securely into place.
Silence settled comfortably over the living room once again.
The hardwood floors reflected the warm light of the overhead lamps.
Caleb turned away from the door and walked back toward the sofa.
He knelt down on the floor right beside his daughter.
Chloe looked up at him with wide, tear-stained eyes.
Are the bad people gone, Daddy? she whispered softly.
Caleb offered her a warm, reassuring smile.
They are completely gone, buddy, he answered softly.
He wrapped his arms gently around her small shoulders.
He pulled her into a tight, comforting hug on the hardwood floor.
Evelyn walked over and joined them.
She leaned down and wrapped her arms around both of them.
The terror of the missing phone and the mysterious vibrations finally faded away.
Peace was fully restored to their home.
THE END