Chapter 10 - The Last Stand
“Go!” Julian yelled, physically pushing Hannah down into the darkness of the flume.
Hannah bit her lip to stifle a scream, clutching Leo in one arm while finding the rusted iron rungs with the other. Just as her head dipped below the floorline, the cabin door splintered open with a deafening crash.
Julian slammed the iron trapdoor shut and kicked the heavy braided rug back over the seam. He dragged the heavy iron woodstove directly over the door frame, using the last reserves of his strength to tip the cast-iron beast. It crashed down with a bone-jarring rattle, sealing the hatch from above with three hundred pounds of dead weight.
Turning around, Julian found himself staring down three assault rifles held by private contractors clad in unmarked tactical gear.
Standing behind them, perfectly dry under a black umbrella held by Dennis, was Victoria’s father: former State Attorney General Arthur Vance-Sterling. He was an elderly man with silver hair, cold reptilian eyes, and a pristine tailored cashmere overcoat.
“Julian,” Arthur said smoothly, his voice carrying the relaxed authority of a man who had manipulated laws for half a century. “You’ve caused an unnecessary amount of theatrical drama this evening.”
Julian wiped blood from his mouth, standing tall amid the cabin’s ruins. “Arthur. I should have known Victoria wouldn't know how to hire military contractors on her own.”
Arthur stepped inside, his polished oxfords crunching over the wood splinters. “My daughter is emotional. She acts with vulgar impulsiveness. Tying a servant to a bed? Sloppy. But you, Julian... you’re a businessman. You understand the bottom line. Where is the child?”
“Gone,” Julian said flatly. “Far away from your sick family.”
Arthur sighed, shaking his head with disappointed patronizing pity. He gestured casually to the tactical team. “Check the perimeter. Dennis, search the floorboards.”
Dennis moved toward the back room, his weapon lowered. Julian didn't flinch.
“You won't get the Cole trust, Arthur,” Julian taunted, taking a step toward the old man. “I’ve already initiated an automated release of Claire's falsified adoption papers to three independent news outlets. In six hours, your family name will be radioactive.”
Arthur’s calm mask slipped for a fraction of a second, his jaw tightening into a cruel knot. “You’re bluffing. You destroyed your phone.”
“Do you really think I didn't prepare a dead-man's switch the moment I discovered Victoria's bank transfers six months ago?” Julian laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. “I knew what she was doing. I just didn't know how far she would sink.”
Arthur drew a small, silver revolver from his coat pocket. “Then your utility has officially expired, Julian.”
May you like
Below the floor, beneath the stone foundation, Hannah paused in the pitch-black rushing water.
A single gunshot echoed violently through the wooden planks above.
