Chapter 7 - Breaking Point
"Lock the daycare down!" I barked into Sarah’s phone before she could even reply. "Tell the director to hit the panic button! Sophie is here with us, but Julian doesn't know that!"
Sarah relayed the orders frantically, her voice shaking as she confirmed that the school had initiated an active lockdown and that county police were en route.
Julian was getting desperate. He had assumed his Child Protective Services ambush would succeed. When Walsh dismissed the petition, his legal window slammed shut, leaving him exposed to the paper trail we held. He had gone to the school expecting to find Sophie, hoping to snatch her as physical leverage.
"He doesn't know she’s safe at home," Marcus said, pacing the living room. "He thinks she’s still in class."
My cell phone rang. It was the same restricted number from 3:00 AM.
I didn't hesitate. I answered and put it on speakerphone, nodding at Leo, who immediately began recording the audio stream on his laptop.
"Julian," I said, forcing my voice to sound ragged, frantic, broken. "What did you do? Why are the police at Sophie’s school?"
Julian’s laugh came through the speaker, breathless and erratic. The smooth, boardroom sociopath was fraying at the edges. "I told you, Daniel. I told you what would happen if you didn't play ball. I’m standing three blocks from your daughter’s school. You think those locked glass doors can keep me out?"
"Please," I pleaded, feigning sheer terror, tears in my voice. "Don't hurt her. She’s just a baby. Clara is gone, she’s all I have left."
"Then bring the signed deed," Julian snapped, the bait taken completely. "I don't want the kid, Daniel. I want the four acres. Amanda is falling apart, the cops are sniffing around her apartment, and I’m done playing games."
"Where do I meet you?" I asked, my voice trembling convincingly.
"The marina," Julian ordered. "Slip 42, on the south channel. It’s closed for maintenance. Come alone in your truck. Bring the signed deed and the original title certificate Clara left you. You give me the papers, I sign the notarized release abandoning any custody petitions, and I hand you the flash drive containing Amanda’s surveillance files on you. If I see a single squad car within a mile of that dock, I will make sure Sophie disappears before you ever see her again."
"I’ll be there in thirty minutes," I choked out. "Just don't touch my daughter."
I ended the call.
I looked up. Marcus, Sarah, and Leo were staring at me.
"You're not going alone," Marcus said firmly.
May you like
"Of course I’m not," I replied, my frantic demeanor vanishing instantly, replaced by a cold, calculating calm. "Leo, call Detective Miller. Tell him to coordinate with the Hennepin County SWAT and the water patrol. Julian Vance just walked right into an extortion trap."
***
