Chapter 9 - Checkmate
In the ballroom, Julian realized it was over. The police were rushing into the hall, zip-tying billionaires in their custom tuxedos.
He looked up at the balcony, intending to kill Clara himself. But the balcony was empty.
Julian slipped through the chaos, moving toward the servant's corridors. He knew this estate. There was a Prohibition-era maintenance tunnel beneath the wine cellar that led to the river. If he could get there, he had a boat waiting.
He ran down the stone steps into the dark, damp cellar. He pushed past racks of vintage wine and found the heavy iron grate covering the tunnel. He yanked it open and climbed down into the darkness.
"Going somewhere, Julian?"
Julian froze. He spun around.
Clara stepped out of the shadows of the tunnel, holding a flashlight in one hand and a sleek black pistol in the other.
"You can't shoot me," Julian panted, holding his hands up. "You're a smart girl, Clara. But you're not a killer."
"You're right," Clara said, lowering the gun. "I'm not a killer. I'm a businesswoman. And I'm just here to audit your assets."
Julian sneered, lunging forward to grab the gun. But as he took a step, his foot caught on a heavy tripwire hidden in the dirt.
May you like
A heavy steel security door, installed by Clara days prior, slammed down from the ceiling, separating them. Julian slammed into the metal, trapped in a five-by-five concrete square.
"Clara! Let me out!" Julian screamed, pounding on the door.
