Chapter 2 - The Tracker in the Night
The blue pulse illuminated the dark veins of the marble floor every two seconds. Bruno’s posture stiffened instantly beneath Emma’s hands; every muscle in the hound's massive frame locked into stone.
""Out of the tub, Emma. Now,"" Julian said firmly, not waiting for her reply. He reached into the water, wrapping both arms around his daughter and lifting her dripping form into his chest. Emma let out a small whimper of protest, reaching out toward the giant dog.
""Bruno cold, Daddy! He needs towel!"" she pleaded, kicking her soaked scuffed shoes against his slacks.
Julian handed Emma directly to Elena, whose hands shook as she wrapped the toddler in a thick terrycloth robe. ""Take her to the lower vault. Do not use the elevators. Take the service stairs behind the pantry, lock the steel door, and do not open it for anyone except my voice.""
""Yes, Mr. Vance,"" Elena whispered, clutching the little girl tightly and turning to vanish into the dimly lit hallway.
Julian drew a compact titanium blade from his suit pocket and approached the tub. Bruno remained where he was, his dark gaze locked onto the doorway through which Emma had disappeared. The dog let out a low rumble from the pit of his chest, not a warning to Julian, but an alert of imminent perimeter breach.
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Leaning over the porcelain edge, Julian jammed the blade’s edge under the titanium collar, seeking the release latch. The transponder was scorching hot to the touch, broadcasting a wide-band telemetry signal directly to a satellite uplink. With a sharp twist of his wrist, the heavy latch sheared off. Julian dropped the collar into a heavy ceramic vase and smashed it to fragments with the heel of his boot, grinding the circuit board beneath his sole.
From the hallway downstairs came the unmistakable, muffled crack of a suppressed rifle shot, followed immediately by the dull thud of a human body collapsing against the oak parquet floor.
