Chapter 4 - Echoes on the Landing
Julian ascended the curved stairs with measured steps, his dress shoes making no sound against the thick runner. Leo remained nestled securely against his shoulder, quiet now, his tiny fingers twisted into Julian’s collar. Julian wasn't foolish enough to leave the children downstairs with Clara, whose loyalties were entirely compromised. He gestured with his chin for Maya to follow closely behind his hip.
The second-floor gallery stretched into long corridors flanked by modern oil paintings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the manicured grounds. Outside, storm clouds were gathering over the bay, casting a bruised purple hue across the marble floorboards. The door to Julian’s private study stood ajar by two inches, a sliver of darkness peering through the gap.
""Victor,"" Julian called out, stopping five paces from the entrance. His voice was steady, resonant, carrying the absolute authority of a man in his own fortress. ""Step out into the hall.""
A dry chuckle drifted from the shadows inside. The door swung open smoothly on oiled hinges, revealing Victor Vance. He looked older than thirty-eight, his hairline receding and his sharp, aquiline features sharpened by years of resentment and bitter litigation. In his left hand, he held a manila folder bound with red archival twine. Behind him, standing near Julian's antique mahogany desk, was a woman dressed in an austere gray pantsuit, carrying a heavy leather briefcase.
""Always so formal, little brother,"" Victor said, his eyes flicking downward to inspect the baby resting against Julian's shoulder. ""I see Leo survived the clumsy affections of your latest companion. Shame. You always did have terrible taste in domestic partners.""
""You violated a federal restraining order, Victor,"" Julian said calmly, his hand subtly resting on Maya's shoulder behind him. ""And breaking into a biometric vault carries a mandatory ten-year sentence in this jurisdiction.""
""It’s hardly breaking and entering when your own fiancé provides the access credentials,"" Victor countered, tapping the manila envelope against his palm. He gestured to the woman in gray. ""Allow me to reintroduce Detective Vance—well, former Detective Vance, now private counsel to the probate court. We didn't come to steal your money, Julian. We came to execute the court order you’ve been illegally suppressing.""
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Julian's breath caught, though his face remained impenetrable. ""What court order?""
Victor pulled a single folded parchment from the folder, a red judicial seal gleaming beneath the hallway chandelier. ""The paternity challenge. The court granted exhumation testing on Elena’s remains this morning. And by three o'clock, child protective services will be here to take Leo into state custody.""
