Patricia’s lip curled back over her straight white teeth in a tight, silent sneer.

Detective Rebecca stepped between us and pulled two pairs of polished steel handcuffs from her coat pocket.

“Patricia Miller and Derek Miller, you’re under arrest for felony child endangerment, grand larceny, and forgery,” Rebecca said.

Officer Marcus moved in from the left and grabbed Derek’s right wrist, twisting it behind his turquoise shirt.

Derek let out a loud, shuddering sigh, then kicked out his legs and backed up against a metal support pillar.

“Wait a minute!” Derek yelled, his voice echoing off the high ceiling as the crowd surged back two steps.