CHAPTER 2: THE UNJUST ARREST

In a couple of moments, a police cruiser drove into Stamford Luxury Suites residence and screened its brake a few miles away from the reception.

The siren kept blaring out as three hefty 6"fit tall cop men headed towards the lobby where the suspect was being held.

“Cops. This is the shameless pauper that stole our guest's $10,000, please do the needful as officers of the law,” Mr. Laurent swiftly informed the cop men whilst stylishly winking at them.

“Yes, have him arrested!” Mrs Emma, the guest, Andre, and Marcel simultaneously consented.

Raphael randomly gazed at their faces as they continually blurted out their false accusations. “No officer. They're lying against me. I stole nothing” his voice repeatedly resounded in self-defense.

“You have every right to remain silent as anything said could be used against you in a court of law,” one of the cop men recited with his right hand placed towards his armed gun.

“Take him out once at once! He's a shameless penniless thief!” All accomplices simultaneously bawled out.

“Get him handcuffed,” the other cop men instructed his colleague who firmly pushed Raphael's shoulders, drew his hands backward, and had him handcuffed.

“I'm innocent. I didn't steal any damn thing. Don't listen to them!" Raphael voiced out in boldness. He wouldn't dare back down despite the scheme against him.

He firmly stamped his feet against the well-tiled floor but the three policemen overpowered him and pushed him off to the reception entrance door.

Raphael, despite being handcuffed, leaned firmly on the entrance door to avoid being pushed further. He relentlessly held onto the door as he stared into the eyes of Andre and Marcel who betrayed him.

“Remove this penniless piece of trash from our sight. Miserable college dropout! Shameless thief! Son-in-law my ass!” Emma echoed in mockery whilst wearing a gloating demeanor in her expression.

Raphael dropped out of college unable to pay his tuition fees and other demands from higher institutions. The death of his mother seven years ago hit him deeply as no one was willing to offer a helping hand.

To survive he opted to work as a part-time room service agent six years ago that was how he met his wife; Chloe.

“It's souls like you that stain the good name of our establishment by stealing guests' properties. We've caught you today, bad news for you,” one of the cop men blurted out whilst glaring his blue almond eyes against Raphael.

More guests were ambling into the reception to get lodged and couldn't help but behold the ongoing shameful incident staring right in their faces as three cop men held Raphael strongly towards the police cruiser and shoved him at the back seat whilst he kept holding back to resist them.

Raphael for a moment presumed the cop men would conduct a thorough interrogation before opting for an arrest but none of such occurred. It pretty much seemed that the world was drastically against him on that very day.

The alleged occurrence has rapidly dirtied Raphael's image. When he thought being poor was bad news he had no idea that a disgraceful expression; "Shameless Thief" would be added to his lowly-rated portfolio.

The police cruiser drove off the residence and headed to the Mayhem police station where the policemen were temporarily situated.

“Today's my fifth anniversary, can I at least inform my wife I've been arrested?” he boldly requested, trying to reach for his phone in his pocket.

“Shut your crap you shameless thief. Shut up pauper!” one of the policemen beside him vigorously spilled out, his eyes red in anger.

“I know my rights. I know my civil rights. I don't deserve this ill-treatment from an organ sworn to protect me,” he responded fiercely, refusing to back down easily.

“We protect the lives and rights of good citizens, not thieves who disguise stealing $10,000. Very shameful!” The cop at his right-hand side mockingly divulged with his fists clenched as he spoke authoritatively.

Raphael flinched as the last words dropped in his brain. He couldn't imagine being called a thief! And coming from any officer was unbelievable!

The police cruiser alighted beside the police entrance they had noticed a certain luxurious car trailing behind since they arrested Raphael. They knew who they were and understood what they were meant to do.

“Get the hell outta the car. You got companies that want to speak with you.” The policeman beside the driver instructed him.

“Just take a good look at him with his torn-out work uniform.  I don't need a soothsayer to deduce you're a thief!” one of the policemen ridiculed Raphael trying to push him off from the car.

The other two policemen joined the suit and dragged him off from the police cruiser facing the luxurious car that was trailing them.

“Who wants to have a word with me?”