Beatrice: Julian... what is that noise outside?
Julian: Probably the gardener cutting the hedge near the gate.
Beatrice: Gardeners don't drive three heavy vehicles up the front driveway at forty miles an hour!
The screech of tires echoed off the concrete courtyard outside the front entrance, followed by the sharp, authoritative sound of police sirens wailing for a brief second before shutting off.
Emma: It's Grandpa! Grandpa came!
Julian: Stay where you are, Emma! Beatrice, go look out the window!
Beatrice hurried over to the tall glass bay windows, peeking through the white linen curtains. Her face instantly turned white as paper, and her wine glass trembled in her hand.
Beatrice: Julian... there are two black SUV cruisers and a city SWAT truck parked across our lawn!
Julian: What?! Why would SWAT be at my house?!
Beatrice: An elderly man in a dark trench coat just stepped out of the lead vehicle! He has four armed officers walking right behind him!
Claire: I told you, Julian. My father always answers when Emma calls.
Before Julian could respond, the heavy solid oak front doors burst open with a loud, thunderous crash that shook the entire foyer.
Seventy-year-old Arthur Vance strode into the high-key hallway, his silver hair neatly combed back, wearing a dark wool trench coat over a tailored charcoal suit. Beside him were Chief Inspector Marcus Reed and three tactical officers carrying official entry gear.
Arthur: Where is my daughter?! Where is my granddaughter?!
Emma: Grandpa! Over here!
Emma broke away from Claire and sprinted across the dark hardwood floor, throwing herself into her grandfather's arms. Arthur dropped to one knee, wrapping his powerful arms around the little girl and holding her tight against his chest.
Arthur: I'm here, sweetheart. Grandpa is right here. Nobody is going to harm a hair on your head.
Emma: He hurt Mommy's leg, Grandpa! He made her bleed on the floor!
Arthur stood up slowly, his broad shoulders squared and his sharp blue eyes locking onto Julian with absolute fury under the bright natural daylight.
Arthur: Julian. You have five seconds to step away from my daughter before my men put you on the floor.
Julian: Arthur! This is private property! You can't just break down my front door with armed guards!
Inspector Reed: This property is currently listed under the Vance Family Irrevocable Trust, Mr. Davis. Arthur Vance is the sole managing trustee of this estate.
Beatrice: That's absurd! My son signed a mortgage contract with City Central Bank three weeks ago!
Inspector Reed: That mortgage contract is currently being seized as evidence in a federal wire fraud investigation, Mrs. Davis.
Julian's jaw dropped as he took a step back toward the white kitchen island, his hands trembling as he smoothed his navy suit jacket.
Julian: Federal investigation?! What are you talking about?! I haven't done anything illegal!
Arthur: You forged my daughter's signature on a four-million-dollar equity loan, Julian. Did you really think my former detectives wouldn't trace the wire transfer back to your offshore shell company in the Caymans?