Chapter 12 - THE SIRENS IN THE SNOW
Julian Vance didn't even flinch. He glanced at his henchman and gestured toward Daniel with a flick of his gloved fingers. "Take the boy down. Don't break his arms if you can help it. Leave the old woman."
The henchman lunged forward across the kitchen tiles, his boots finding traction, his massive arm cocked to strike.
Daniel swung the tire iron, but the man dodged with practiced ease, driving a heavy fist into Daniel's ribs. Daniel let out a sharp gasp, stumbling back against the kitchen island, sending a stack of ceramic plates crashing to the floor in a shower of shards.
"Daniel!" Clare shouted.
She didn't hesitate. Clare brought the brass poker down across the man's shoulders with all the force of her grief, her loneliness, and her protective fury. The blow landed with a dull, hollow thud, staggering the henchman just long enough for Daniel to drive his boot into the man's knee. The joint buckled with a sickening pop, and the man went down onto the broken plates, groaning in agony.
Julian’s composure cracked. His eyes flashed with sudden, vicious rage. He reached inside his coat, pulling out a slim, silver-plated automatic pistol.
"Enough of this nonsense," Julian snarled, leveling the barrel directly at Clare's chest. "Where is my daughter?"
Before Clare could speak, a shrill, piercing siren echoed up the lane.
Blue and red flashing lights cut through the swirling snow, painting the kitchen walls in violent streaks of crimson and sapphire. Two police Land Rovers roared up the driveway, followed immediately by an unmarked estate car.
Julian froze. His eyes darted to the window, the color draining from his face. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything," Clare said coldly. "Sophie did. She works A&E, Mr. Vance. When your men showed up with Peter's address in their pockets, she didn't just call me. She called the Chief Constable. He’s Peter’s first cousin. He doesn't take kindly to city gangsters threatening his family on Christmas Eve."
The front door burst open. "Police! Nobody move! Drop the weapon!"
Four armed officers poured into the hallway, carbines raised, flashlight beams blinding Julian where he stood.
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Julian lowered the gun slowly, his teeth clenched in helpless fury, his empire unraveling in the middle of a country kitchen.
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