Chapter 12 - The Frequency Shift
High above the subterranean cellar, inside the house’s secondary electrical hub room, the automated emergency protocols Julian had programmed months ago executed simultaneously.
ZZZZZT!
A targeted electromagnetic pulse (EMP) burst—designed as an industrial lightning-surge suppressor for the mansion’s high-tech infrastructure—was triggered by the remote control.
A sharp, high-pitched whining sound tore through the air of the cellar.
The red work lights flickered violently and died. The digital display on Croft’s radio detonator went completely black as the localized electromagnetic charge fried the microprocessors inside the receiver unit.
The dead-man trigger was dead.
Croft stared down at his useless detonator in shock. "What the—"
"Now!" Julian roared.
Julian fired two shots into Croft’s chest before the mercenary could react. The impact threw Croft backward against the brick archway, dropping him to the floor, motionless.
Arthur Sterling gasped, turning frantically toward the stairs, raising his silver cane—which contained a concealed blade—to strike.
PTHT!
Maya Lin fired once from the top of the stairs.
The silenced round struck Arthur’s knee, shattering the joint. He shrieked in pain, dropping his cane, tumbling down the stone steps, crashing hard onto the cold concrete floor at Julian’s feet.
The silence that followed in the dark cellar was deafening, broken only by Arthur’s heavy, agonizing gasps.
Julian stepped over the fallen mercenary, standing directly over Arthur Sterling. He lowered his empty Kimber pistol, dropping the magazine onto the floor, pulling a fresh magazine from his belt and slapping it into the grip with a cold, metallic snap.
He pressed the hot barrel of the gun directly against Arthur’s forehead.
"It's over, Arthur," Julian said softly.
Arthur looked up through the dark, blood trickling down his face, his aristocratic arrogance stripped away, leaving only the pathetic terror of a defeated coward.
"Julian... please..." Arthur choked out, holding up a trembling hand. "We can make a deal... the money... the accounts... I can give you everything..."
"You gave me everything I needed the moment you walked down those stairs," Julian said.
From the top of the stone steps, Noah walked down slowly, step by step, holding Elena’s hand.
The small boy stood beside his father in the subterranean gloom, looking down at the man who had spent years trying to erase his family.
May you like
Noah looked Arthur straight in the eye.
"You're not scary anymore," Noah said softly.
