Chapter 10 - Shadows of the Past
Two weeks passed in a whirlwind of corporate restructuring and domestic healing. David Vance had officially moved into the historic carriage house on the edge of the Ellington estate, reclaiming his life, his dignity, and his relationship with his son. Sam was enrolled in a prestigious private day school in Westchester, where he quickly adapted, though his favorite part of the day remained his afternoon bike rides back up the gravel drive of the manor.
Yet, even in paradise, the ripples of a shattered criminal empire do not fade overnight.
It was a crisp Thursday evening. Robert and David were working late in the home study, reviewing the final security audits for Project Prometheus, when the private security intercom chimed softly.
BEEP. SENSOR ALERT: EAST GATE PERIMETER CAMERA FOUR.
Robert frowned, pausing his typing. "That's odd. The automated license plate scanners are set to whitelist all staff and delivery vehicles."
He tapped the monitor, pulling up the live feed from the eastern gatehouse, which was nestled deep among the thick woods bordering the property.
A rusted, anonymous silver sedan was parked just outside the wrought-iron gates. No one was stepping out of the car, but the driver's side door was slightly ajar.
David leaned closer to the screen, his face suddenly draining of color. His breath hitched.
"Robert... zoom in on the rear bumper," David whispered, his voice trembling.
Robert manipulated the digital zoom, focusing on the weathered license plate and a distinct bumper sticker peeling at the edge—a faded logo of a local Queens mechanic shop.
"Do you know that car?" Robert asked sharply.
"It belongs to Victor Cole," David said, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the desk. "Victor was my old lab partner at Ellington Tech before Thorne took over. He helped me hide the backup drive three weeks ago. If Victor is here... why didn't he drive up to the main house? Why is he waiting at the service gate?"
Before Robert could process the warning, the camera feed flickered violently. A sharp, high-pitched electronic screech echoed through the study's audio speakers, followed by a loud pop as the eastern perimeter camera short-circuited and went completely dark.
"Cut the feed," David muttered, panic rising in his chest. "Robert, someone just blinded our eastern watch."
Robert’s CEO composure snapped back into place. He immediately slammed his hand down on the master security console, triggering a partial lockdown of the residential wing.
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"Maria!" Robert shouted into the home intercom. "Are you and Sam inside the main house?"
Maria's voice crackled back through the speaker, breathless and terrified. "Yes, Mr. Ellington! We just came in from the garden! But... someone's trying to force the side french doors in the sunroom!"
