Chapter 6 - The Badge at the Door
The sudden entry of the two police officers broke the tense stillness of the foyer, sending a sharp echo off the marble walls. Julian turned slowly toward the door, his expression shifting from cold condescension to mild, polite confusion with practiced ease.
"Officers," Julian said, stepping forward and extending a hand. "I am Julian Vance. Is there some kind of problem here? This is a private residence."
The taller officer, a weathered man with sharp gray eyes and a heavy badge pinned to his chest, ignored the outstretched hand. He scanned the grand room before fixing his gaze directly on Elena.
"Mrs. Vance?" the officer asked, his voice gravelly and authoritative. "My name is Detective Miller. We received an anonymous tip regarding potential endangerment and controlled substances on these premises."
Elena stared at the officer, her mind racing. She hadn't called the police, and she knew Julian certainly wouldn't have invited them. That left only one person.
She cast a quick glance upward toward the landing, but Clara had already retreated out of sight.
"Detective," Elena said, stepping past Julian with her red silk robe sweeping the marble floor. "I am Elena Vance. You’re entirely right to be here. My husband has been systematically drugging me and embezzling from our family trust."
Julian let out a low, theatrical sigh, shaking his head as if dealing with a troubled child.
"You see what I mean, Detective?" Julian said, gesturing toward his wife with an open palm. "She suffers from severe postpartum psychosis and paranoia. It breaks my heart to see her like this."
Detective Miller looked between the two of them, his expression unreadable. He pulled a small notebook from his coat pocket.
"We take all allegations seriously, Mr. Vance," the detective replied evenly. "Whether they stem from a domestic dispute or a medical condition. We’ll need to inspect the master suite and the kitchen pantry."
Julian’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, a micro-expression of pure panic that only Elena caught.
"By all means," Julian said, his voice smooth once more, though a slight edge crept into his tone. "However, I must insist on seeing a warrant before you start tearing apart my home."
Detective Miller pulled a folded document from inside his jacket and shook it open with a crisp snap.
"Already secured it on our way in, Mr. Vance," the detective said, flashing a humorless smile. "Lead the way."
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As the officers brushed past Julian toward the grand staircase, Detective Miller’s partner paused near the console table, bending down to pick up something small that had fallen behind the table.
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