Chapter 9: The Aftermath
Julian pinned his older brother heavily against the wet concrete floor.
Marcus struggled violently, his wounded arm bleeding onto the gray pavement.
"It is over, Marcus!"
Julian shouted, his voice echoing over the deafening wail of the approaching sirens.
Marcus bared his teeth in a desperate, angry snarl.
He tried to throw a heavy punch with his uninjured hand.
Julian easily blocked the sloppy strike and drove his knee into his brother's chest.
Heavy boots pounded rapidly down the concrete entrance ramp.
A dozen heavily armed police officers swarmed into the underground garage.
Their tactical flashlights sliced through the dim, watery shadows.
"Police!"
A commanding voice bellowed over the chaos.
"Show me your hands right now!"
Julian immediately raised both of his hands high in the air.
He slowly backed away from his gasping, defeated brother.
Two officers rushed forward and forcefully pulled Marcus to his feet.
They slammed him against the hood of the silver sports car and secured cold steel handcuffs around his wrists.
Detective Vance strode purposefully into the center of the garage.
He was a tall, imposing man wearing a damp tan trench coat.
He looked from the bleeding Marcus to a soaked, shivering Julian.
"We received the video file, Julian."
Vance said, his stern face softening just a fraction.
"My team is currently apprehending Victoria in the main ballroom."
Julian let out a long, shuddering breath and leaned against a concrete pillar.
The intense adrenaline that had fueled him for the past hour finally began to fade.
His entire body shook with cold and profound emotional exhaustion.
Elena quietly walked over and stood beside him.
She crossed her arms to ward off the chill of her soaked uniform.
"You did the right thing."
Elena whispered softly, offering a comforting presence in the chaotic garage.
Julian looked at her bruised face and offered a weak, grateful nod.
"I could never have survived tonight without you."
He admitted honestly, watching the officers drag his swearing brother up the ramp.
Detective Vance approached the two of them with a small notepad in hand.
"Paramedics are waiting outside to check on both of you."
Vance instructed, pointing toward the flashing red lights at the exit.
"Then I am going to need full statements from you both down at the precinct."
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Julian stood up straighter, finally feeling a small sense of justice.
The terrifying nightmare of his father's murder was finally coming to an end.
