Chapter 11: The Voice on the Line
The operative slowly tapped a button on his collar control unit. A sharp feedback squeal echoed in the confined space of the vault, followed by a smooth, cultured laugh that Julian recognized instantly—the voice of a man who believed he had checkmated the entire board.
"Judge Vance," Arthur Pendelton’s voice purred through the tactical speaker, clear and crisp despite the distance. "I must admit, cutting the power was a bit theatrical, but seeing as you've made yourself such a difficult target, I felt dramatic measures were required."
"You sent a boy to do a man's job on my front lawn, Arthur, and now you’re sending grunts to steal files in the dark," Julian replied, his voice devoid of anger, radiating a chilling, absolute calm. "You haven't changed at all. Still hiding behind proxies, still letting others take the fall for your cowardice."
"Cowardice?" Pendelton’s tone sharpened instantly, the polite veneer cracking to reveal a well of deep, burning malice. "You spent twelve years of my life in a concrete box, Julian! You stripped my name, liquidated my assets, and left me with nothing while you retired to your grand estate to play grandfather. You talk of cowardice? I am here to collect the balance."
"You want a balance?" Julian stepped forward, pressing the barrel of the Colt gently against the operative's shoulder blade as a reminder. "Then come here and collect it yourself. Stop hiding behind encrypted links and hired guns like a frightened child playing war."
A heavy silence hung over the speaker for several seconds. When Pendelton spoke again, his voice was dangerously quiet. "Oh, I'll be there, Julian. In fact, I'm already closer than you think. But before this conversation ends, I want you to look at your tablet screen. The one your little detective friend is currently staring at out in the hallway."
Julian’s heart skipped a single, imperceptible beat. He didn't turn around, but he heard the sharp, sudden intake of breath from Miller out in the library alcove.
"What did you do, Arthur?" Julian demanded, his voice dropping an octave.
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"Nothing illegal, Judge," Pendelton laughed softly. "Just a final execution of terms. Look at the screen."
Out in the library, Miller’s voice rang out, strained and horrified. "Judge... you need to see this right now."
