Chapter 11: Breach in the Storm
Before Arthur could process Julian's confession, the lights in the hospital room flickered twice and plunged into complete darkness. A low, mechanical hum vibrated through the floorboards as the building's emergency backup generators groaned, kicking on seconds later to bathe the room in a dull, amber glow.
Click.
The heavy electronic lock on the hospital door disengaged with the power reset.
Julian’s eyes widened with terror. "He's here."
"Stay behind me," Arthur ordered, reaching for a heavy chrome IV stand parked beside Eleanor’s bed. He gripped the metal pole firmly, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Outside in the hallway, the heavy thump of footsteps echoed on the linoleum floor. The door swung open slowly. A tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a dark rain jacket stepped inside, his face shadowed by a low-slung cap. In his hand, he held a sleek, silenced pistol.
"Julian Vance," the man said, his voice flat and void of any emotion. "And Arthur Sterling. This makes things much simpler."
"Who sent you?" Arthur demanded, stepping into the attacker's line of sight to shield Eleanor and Julian. "The police are downstairs!"
"The police are currently dealing with a deliberate fire alarm on the lower floors," the man replied calmly, raising the silenced firearm. "I don't want you or the old woman, Sterling. I want the key to the estate chest, and I want Julian."
Suddenly, a sharp yell echoed from the hallway. "Arthur, duck!"
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Clara appeared in the doorway behind the assailant, holding a heavy glass water pitcher she had grabbed from her own room. With all her remaining strength, she swung it hard against the intruder's upper back.
The heavy glass shattered on impact, sending water and shards splashing across the threshold. The intruder stumbled forward from the sudden blow, his shot going wild and burying a silenced rounds into the drywall near the ceiling.
