Chapter 11 - Turning the Tables
The wail of the state police sirens grew deafening as multiple cruisers tore down the long gravel driveway, their tires crunching loudly against the stones before stopping abruptly near the main house. Red and blue strobes cut through the dark woods, painting the clearing in sharp, flashing colors.
Julian grabbed Clara’s arm, his face draining of all color.
"We need to get back to the house, now," Julian hissed, his authority evaporating in the face of federal oversight. "If the state troopers are here, it’s not local jurisdiction. Someone bypassed our district."
One of the tactical guards lowered his rifle, looking nervously toward the driveway. "Sir, what do we do? They're surrounding the perimeter."
"Fall back!" Julian yelled, turning on his heel and sprinting back toward the mansion, dragging a protesting Clara behind him.
David stood up slowly from behind the stone wall, brushing the mud from his trench coat. He extended a hand down to Maya, pulling her up with a firm, steady grip.
"Come on, Maya," David said, his eyes fixed on the approaching flashlights of the state troopers breaking through the treeline. "It’s time to take your home back."
Maya clutched the luxury handbag in one hand and the cream-colored envelope in the other, feeling a strange surge of strength replace her fear. They walked out of the dark woods and into the clearing, stepping right into the path of two state troopers holding flashlights.
"Halt! Stay right where you are—hands where we can see them!" an officer commanded, raising his weapon.
David raised his hands slowly, stepping forward. "Officer, my name is David Miller. I'm a federal forensic auditor, and this is Maya—the legal heir to this estate. We need to report a homicide and a massive corporate embezzlement scheme."
The trooper lowered his weapon slightly, looking between David, Maya, and the luxury handbag. "You'll need to come with us to the precinct to make a formal statement."
May you like
Maya nodded, but as she looked back toward the mansion, she saw Julian and Clara standing on the illuminated second-floor balcony, watching them with looks of pure, unadulterated malice. And then, Julian held up a burning document that looked suspiciously like the original deed.
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