Chapter 10 - Unraveling Truths
Ten minutes later, the basement flooded with the harsh white beams of tactical lights. Local law enforcement, accompanied by state troopers and emergency medical personnel, swept through the lower corridors of the Sterling mansion with rifles raised.
Richard stood with his hands visible, speaking in low, measured tones to the commanding officer. Evelyn was led away in plastic flex-cuffs, her face averted from the flashing red and blue lights reflecting off the wet pavement outside.
Paramedics hovered around Claire, trying to drape a shock blanket over her shoulders, but she politely waved them off, keeping her arms securely around Liam. The child had finally succumbed to exhaustion, sleeping soundly with his cheek pressed against her chest.
Julian stood on the far side of the driveway, leaning against an ambulance bumper while an EMT cleaned the cut along his temple. He looked older under the glaring floodlights, a ghost forced back into the harsh light of the living world.
Richard walked over to his brother, holding two paper cups of black coffee from the paramedic van. He handed one to Julian in silence.
“The house is ruined,” Richard murmured, staring at the shattered windows of the upper floor where the charge had blown.
“Houses can be rebuilt,” Julian said, taking a slow sip. “Families usually can’t.”
Richard looked toward Claire, who was sitting on the back step of an emergency vehicle, watching Liam sleep. “She lied to me from the day she walked through the front door.”
“She lied to find out if her brother was a murderer,” Julian said softly. “Can you blame her? Marcus was a monster, Richard. He took Evelyn’s money to plant the bomb on my boat. But when the time came, he hesitated. He gave me three seconds of warning before the timer tripped. That’s why I’m alive.”
Richard turned to Julian, his jaw tight. “And Liam? Was that another lie you threw out to shake Evelyn?”
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Julian looked away into the dark tree line bordering the estate. “Go look at the drive Claire holds. Don’t take my word for it. Look at the files labeled Zurich.”
Richard set his coffee cup on the hood of the ambulance and walked toward Claire.
