Chapter 9 - The Intruder Below
The loud crash reverberated through the floorboards of the attic, freezing Iris and Martha in their tracks. The cardstock containing the first half of the digital recovery key trembled in Iris's hand. Downstairs, the muffled sound of heavy footsteps moving quickly across the hardwood floor confirmed their worst fears: they were no longer alone in the house.
"Stay here," Martha whispered fiercely, motioning for Iris to duck behind a stack of old trunks.
Martha crept silently toward the attic hatch, her eyes narrowed as she peered down into the dimly lit hallway below. The front window near the entryway had been smashed, leaving glittering shards of glass scattered across the rug. A shadowy figure clad in dark clothing was quickly rifling through the drawers of the downstairs console table, tossing papers everywhere with frantic desperation.
"Hey! Get out of my house!" Martha screamed, abandoning all caution as she lunged down the attic stairs.
The intruder spun around, startled by the sudden confrontation. Even in the dim light, the familiar build and posture were unmistakable. It wasn't a hired thug from the financial trust; it was Uncle Robert. His eyes widened in panic as he realized he had been caught red-handed.
"Martha? What are you doing?" Robert stammered, trying to mask his guilt with an aggressive tone as he slammed a drawer shut. "You shouldn't be tearing the house apart!"
"You broke in through the front window like a common criminal!" Martha shouted, charging down the remaining steps to block his path to the exit. "You knew about the digital wallet! You’re the one who helped the old man set this trap!"
Iris cautiously descended the attic stairs behind Martha, clutching the recovery key card tightly in her pocket. She watched as Robert sneered, his mask of polite family charm completely vanishing.
"I didn't set a trap, Martha. I just wanted my share," Robert snapped, taking a threatening step forward. "The old man promised me that business before he lost his mind. If you and this ungrateful teenager think you're going to keep the crypto wallet, you're out of your minds."
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Before Robert could push past Martha toward the door, the flashing red and blue lights of a police cruiser suddenly illuminated the shattered front windows, casting dancing shadows across the living room walls.
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