Chapter 13 - The Trap
Claire wanted the police to trace Julian's login.
Mara wanted something better.
"Make him believe he still has a chance," she said.
They created a message on the hidden tablet.
CLAIRE LEAVING FOR HOSPITAL. SOPHIE MOVED TONIGHT. ARTHUR SECURITY REDUCED EAST GATE.
Then they waited.
Julian logged in again nineteen minutes later.
At 10:42 p.m., a stolen utility van stopped two blocks from Arthur's house.
Two men got out.
One was Dominic Vale.
The other was not Julian.
Police arrested both men near the east wall.
Dominic said nothing.
The second man had a stun gun, zip ties, and a printed floor plan of the house.
"Where's Julian?" Claire demanded through the interview-room glass.
Mara shook her head. "Dominic won't talk."
Then Claire's phone buzzed.
Julian.
Not a call.
A video.
He stood in an empty ballroom.
The same ballroom where Vivienne had hit Sophie.
Behind him was the giant crystal chandelier.
"Claire," he said calmly, "you've always needed your father to fight your battles. So let's see what happens when he can't."
The camera turned.
Arthur was sitting in a chair with blood on his forehead and his hands tied behind him.
Claire stopped breathing.
She spun toward Mara.
"Dad is upstairs."
Mara called security.
No answer from Arthur's detail.
They ran to his bedroom.
Empty.
A balcony door was open.
One guard lay unconscious outside.
Julian had used Dominic's attempted break-in as a distraction.
The video continued.
"Come to the Bellamy Grand alone," Julian said. "No police. No Mara. Bring the original trust documents from your father's safe. If I see anyone else, your father doesn't leave."
Arthur lifted his head.
"Don't do it, Claire."
Julian hit him.
Claire screamed at the phone.
The video ended.
Mara grabbed her shoulders.
"You are not going alone."
Claire looked at the black screen.
For most of her life, Arthur had believed power meant controlling every room before he entered it.
Julian had learned the lesson well.
Claire finally understood the one thing neither man understood.
Sometimes the only way to break a trap was to walk into it on purpose.
She looked at Mara.
"Get me the trust documents."
May you like
Mara stared at her.
Claire added, "And give me Sophie's recorder."
