Chapter 7 - The Breach
The second strike of the battering ram shattered the wooden frame entirely, sending the front door flying inward with a deafening crash. Uniformed police officers poured into the living room, their tactical gear rustling, heavy-duty flashlights and service weapons drawn and aimed with lethal precision.
“Federal agents! Metropolitan Police! Nobody move!” a commanding officer shouted, sweeping his weapon across the room.
Arthur dropped the revolver instantly, his knees buckling as he hit the hardwood floor, raising his uninjured hand in surrender while cradling his bandaged right arm. Eleanor stood frozen, her maroon velvet jacket catching the flashing red and blue lights filtering through the shattered window from the squad cars outside.
“Dad!” Sophia cried out, scrambling across the floor and throwing her arms around Julian’s waist.
Julian dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms tightly around his daughter, burying his face in her long blonde hair as overwhelming relief washed over him. The nightmare was finally ending, or so he thought.
“Clear the perimeter!” an officer barked, two tactical team members rushing past them toward the back of the house.
As the officers hauled Arthur to his feet and slapped steel handcuffs around his wrists, Eleanor offered no resistance. She extended her hands gracefully, her expression chillingly serene, as if she were attending another charity gala rather than being arrested for kidnapping and grand larceny.
“You think this is the end, Julian?” Eleanor said softly as an officer pulled her arms behind her back. “You think a pair of handcuffs stops what’s already in motion?”
Julian looked up from hugging Sophia, his eyes narrowing.
“It stops you,” Julian replied firmly.
“Does it?” Eleanor smiled, a disturbing glint in her eyes. “Check your phone, Julian.”
Julian frowned, gently releasing Sophia and pulling his smartphone from his tuxedo pocket. The screen lit up with a notification from his bank’s security app.
Alert: Unauthorized wire transfer of $4,500,000 executed from corporate endowment account.
May you like
Julian’s breath caught in his throat. The transfer timestamp read two minutes ago.
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