Chapter 13 - The Upstairs Mutiny
Upstairs, the grand luxury living room was bathed in the pale, silver glow of the evening moon. The maid stood by the master control panel recessed into the wood-paneled wall, her fingers flying across the digital interface as she punched in the override codes she had memorized during her two years of employment.
With a low, mechanical hum, every exterior door in the mansion unlocked simultaneously, and the heavy security shutters began to slide open with a loud mechanical whine.
Footsteps pounded on the grand staircase. The nanny rushed into the living room, clutching five-year-old Leo tightly against her chest. "What is happening? The front gates are opening! We need to leave right now!"
"Take Leo and go to the edge of the property line," the maid commanded, her voice carrying an authority that surprised even herself. She handed the nanny a heavy set of brass keys. "Take my car keys from the silver bowl by the door. Do not stop for anyone, do not look back, and if anyone tries to stop you, drive through the security gates."
Leo buried his face in the nanny’s shoulder, whimpering softly. "I want Daddy. Where is Daddy?"
"Your daddy is coming," the maid said softly, kneeling down to look the boy in the eye before giving him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Now go. Run as fast as you can."
The nanny didn't hesitate. She turned and bolted toward the grand entryway, pushing open the heavy oak doors just as the first sirens began to wail in the distance. The flashing red and blue lights of police cruisers cut through the darkness of the long driveway, painting the polished hardwood floors with urgent streaks of color.
Down in the subterranean vault, Julian heard the distant, beautiful sound of sirens echoing through the ventilation shafts. He looked down at Evelyn, who leaned against his shoulder in the narrow tunnel, her strength slowly returning.
"They're here," Julian whispered.
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At the end of the tunnel, a heavy iron hatch pushed open upward, spilling cool night air and flashing blue light into their faces. But as Julian reached up to push the hatch open further, a heavy shadow fell across the opening, blocking the light.
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