Chapter 6 - Bloodlines And Bank Accounts
The sirens wailed in the far distance.
Two long, rising howls echoing across the quiet hills of Bel-Air.
I didn't move an inch.
My arm remained pinned against Claire’s throat, pressing into her windpipe.
Her face was turning purple, but her eyes glittered with spiteful triumph.
"You... you can't touch me now," Claire choked out between gasps.
"They have Sofia’s... medical autopsy revisions."
"They have the arsenic toxicology report with your electronic signature on the chemical order."
Daniel appeared at the top of the stairs, stepping over Kane’s groaning body.
His weapon was out.
His tactical radio buzzed with static in his ear.
"Alex," Daniel said, his voice flat and urgent.
"Three LAPD cruisers just cleared the outer perimeter gate."
"They aren't patrol units. It’s Robbery-Homicide Division."
"Captain Miller is leading the entry team."
Miller.
The name struck me like a cold iron spike.
Captain Robert Miller was Evelyn Vance’s former brother-in-law.
He had been on the Vance family payroll for over fifteen years.
This wasn't a standard law enforcement response.
This was a clean-up squad disguised in badges and blue uniforms.
If Miller took me into custody, I would never reach the precinct booking desk.
I would suffer an "accidental cardiac arrest" in the back of a police transport van.
"Daniel," I said without looking back. "Secure Kane and Vance in the panic room below the wine cellar."
"Zip-tie their wrists and ankles. Take their phones."
"What about her?" Daniel asked, gesturing at Claire.
"She stays with me."
I released Claire’s throat and grabbed her by the collar of her robe, dragging her down the hall.
She clawed at my wrists, her polished nails tearing at my skin.
"Let go of me, you animal!" she screamed. "Miller will put a bullet in your skull the second he walks through that door!"
"Miller has to get through the security grid first," I said.
I reached the playroom door and tapped three times on the wood.
"Emma. Open up. It’s Daddy."
The lock clicked instantly.
Emma opened the door, her face pale, holding Lily behind her like a miniature guard.
Lily saw Claire and immediately buried her face in Emma’s waist, trembling like a leaf.
"Maria is waiting at the bottom of the service stairs," I told Emma, dropping to one knee so my eyes were level with hers.
"I need you to take Lily’s hand, run down those stairs, and go with Maria into the underground tunnel."
"Will you come with us, Daddy?" Emma whispered, a single tear cutting down her dusty cheek.
"I will be right behind you, sweetheart," I promised, kissing her forehead.
"Take your sister. Go now."
Emma nodded, grabbed Lily’s little hand, and sprinted down the corridor toward the back entrance.
I stood up, hauling Claire after me.
The front doorbell rang through the mansion’s intercom system.
Then came the heavy pounding of a metal battering ram against the oak front doors.
"LAPD! Open the door! We have a search warrant!"
Miller’s voice boomed through the speakers.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my primary phone.
I dialed an unlisted number stored under a single letter: K.
The phone rang twice.
A calm, razor-sharp voice answered.
"Tell me you have the evidence, Alex."
It was Katherine Ross.
May you like
Senior Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California.
And Sofia’s closest childhood friend.
