Chapter 10: The Inspection
By mid-morning, two animal control officers arrived in a marked van, walking the perimeter of the sprawling backyard with long snake tongs and heavy-duty canvas bags. Elena watched from the kitchen window while folding laundry, keeping one ear tuned to the baby monitor upstairs where Leo was taking his morning nap.
Victoria remained inside as well, sitting at the kitchen island, tapping away furiously on her laptop. The tension between the two women was palpable, separated only by a marble countertop and an unspoken war of wills.
The senior animal control officer, a weathered man named Hank, knocked on the sliding glass door and stepped inside when Victoria motioned him over.
"Found where it got in, folks," Hank said, pulling off his heavy leather work gloves. "There’s a gap beneath the wooden slats near the back corner where the ivy has rotted the baseboard. Copperheads love that kind of damp coverage. We cleared the immediate area, but you’re going to need to replace that entire section of fencing before summer really kicks in, otherwise you’ll keep seeing them."
Julian, who had returned home unexpectedly after his zoning meeting was postponed, walked into the kitchen just in time to hear the report. "Thanks, Hank. Send the bill directly to my office. And let's get that fence contractor out here today."
Victoria looked up from her laptop, annoyance flashing in her eyes. "Today? Julian, we have guests coming over for dinner tomorrow night to discuss the christening arrangements. We can't have construction workers tearing up the backyard."
"The backyard is where our son almost got bitten by a venomous snake yesterday, Victoria," Julian replied, his voice dropping into that quiet, immovable register that signaled zero room for compromise. "The fence gets fixed today."
Hank nodded sympathetically, tipping his hat. "Smart move, sir. Better safe than sorry with little ones around."
After the officers left, Julian turned to Elena. "Elena, can you watch Leo for an hour while I meet the contractor in the backyard?"
May you like
"Of course, Mr. Julian," Elena replied respectfully.
Victoria slammed her laptop shut. "Fine. Do whatever you want," she muttered, standing up and storming out of the kitchen toward the master suite upstairs.
