Chapter 22 - A Threat in the Dark
The name Julian Vance hung in the air like a thick, toxic cloud. I knew Richard had a shadow partner in the early days of his real estate empire, but Julian had been a ghost—a man who operated strictly behind the scenes, funding the operations while Richard played the charismatic frontman. When Richard’s financial crimes were publicly exposed, Julian had seemingly vanished into the ether, completely avoiding the intense scrutiny of the district attorney.
Later that evening, after Clara had safely left with a protective order drafted by our team, the clinic was empty. The oppressive Georgia heat had finally broken, giving way to a violent, rolling thunderstorm. Lightning flashed across the dark sky, illuminating the sprawling magnolia trees in the front yard.
Vanessa and I were in the kitchen, brewing coffee and discussing Clara’s terrifying case files.
"If Julian Vance is using the exact same abusive tactics to trap his employees' wives, we have to tear him down just like we did Richard," Vanessa said, gripping her mug tightly. "We know the playbook now. We know exactly how these men operate."
Before I could answer, a deafening, explosive crash shattered the quiet of the house.
The sound came from the front parlor. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs. I grabbed a heavy iron fireplace poker, motioning for Vanessa to stay back. We crept cautiously down the hallway, the hardwood floors cold beneath our bare feet.
The massive, antique bay window in the front office had been completely obliterated. Rain and wind poured through the jagged, broken glass, soaking the client files resting on my desk. Lying in the center of the Persian rug, surrounded by a thousand glittering shards of shattered glass, was a heavy, mud-stained brick.
Wrapped tightly around the brick was a single piece of thick, expensive stationary, secured with black electrical tape.
I carefully stepped over the ruined glass, my hands shaking slightly as I peeled the tape away. The note was typed, crisp, and chillingly brief.
You took his money. I am taking your peace. Vacate the Carter House by Friday, or the clinic burns to the ground.
May you like
Vanessa stepped into the room, staring at the destruction. "Julian," she whispered.
"Yes," I said, my voice hardening into absolute steel. "But he just made the exact same mistake Richard made. He confused our peace with weakness."
