Clara shoved Lily back behind the metal boiler, frantically pressing a finger to her lips.
Clara: Stay hidden, baby. Do not make a peep.
Julian’s expensive leather dress shoes thudded heavily down each wooden step. He smelled of scotch and expensive cigar smoke.
Julian: Mother, I asked you a question. Why are you digging through junk in the middle of a storm?
Clara: I wanted her music box, Julian. The one her mother gave her before she passed.
Julian reached the bottom of the stairs, adjusting the gold cufflinks on his designer suit.
Julian: That junk was donated yesterday. You shouldn't be down here. It’s bad for your blood pressure.
Clara: You buried an empty box, didn’t you?
Julian stopped in his tracks. The smug smirk vanished from his face, replaced by a cold, calculating glare.
Julian: I don’t know what kind of senile nonsense you’re babbling about.
Clara: Look me in the eye, Julian! You collected the life insurance payout this morning, didn't you?
Julian: Lower your voice, Mother. The house staff doesn't need to hear your grief-stricken delusions.
Clara: Delusions? You declared your own daughter dead! You held a wake for a living child!
A muffled sniffle echoed from behind the rusted water heater.
Julian's eyes widened in sudden fury. He took two aggressive strides toward the shadows.
Julian: You stupid little brat! I told you to stay quiet!
Clara threw her frail body directly in front of him, planting her feet on the damp concrete floor.
Clara: Don't you dare touch her! Don't you take one more step toward my grandchild!
Julian: Get out of my way, Mother! You have no idea what is at stake here!
Clara: Money? Is that what is at stake? That trust fund was created to protect her, not fund your lavish lifestyle!
Julian: Her mother left eight million dollars tied up until Lily turned twenty-five! The estate was going to be liquidated by the bank next week!
Clara: So you faked her death? You bribed a corrupt coroner to sign a death certificate?
Julian: It was the only way to release the funds immediately! I had private investors breathing down my neck!
Lily: Daddy, my tummy hurts. Can I have some juice now?
Julian ran a manic hand through his gelled hair, pacing like a caged predator.
Julian: Shut up, Lily! Just shut your mouth!
Clara: Do not speak to her like that! You are a monster, Julian!
Julian: I’m a businessman trying to survive! But now you had to come snooping around.
Clara reached into her pocket, gripping her mobile phone with trembling fingers.
Clara: I am calling 911 right now. The police are going to drag you out of this mansion in handcuffs.
Julian lunged forward, his heavy hand slapping the phone out of Clara's grip. It shattered against the stone wall.
Julian: Nobody is calling anyone. You're both staying right here until my flight departs tonight.