Chapter 6 - The Trap Collapses
Within forty-eight hours of the exhibition, the quiet life the twins had built in Seabrook collapsed into nightmare.
It started on a rainy Tuesday evening. Emily and Grace were closing up the small bakery when two police cruisers screeched to a halt outside. Four officers burst through the doors, handcuffing Grace before she could even scream.
"Grace Vance! You are under arrest for grand theft and corporate espionage!" an officer barked.
"What?! What are you talking about?" Emily shouted, throwing herself between her sister and the police. "She hasn't stolen anything!"
"We found stolen proprietary micro-chip designs from Vance International inside your home," the officer stated coldly, shoving a search warrant into Emily's hands. "Along with fifty thousand dollars in unregistered cash."
"That's impossible! Someone planted that!" Grace cried as she was dragged out into the rain, tears streaming down her face. "Emily! Help me!"
Emily stood paralyzed on the sidewalk as the police cars drove away. She knew instantly who was behind this. The moment Leo revealed his name to Julian Vance, the shadows from twelve years ago had awakened.
She ran back to their small house, her heart in her throat.
The front door was kicked off its hinges. The furniture was upturned, books torn, drawers emptied.
"Leo!" Emily screamed, stumbling into the living room. "Leo!"
A small trapdoor under the rug creaked open. Leo crawled out, his face pale, his eyes wide with terror.
"Em!" Leo sobbed, throwing his arms around her waist. "Men in dark suits came... they were looking for me! I hid in the floor cellar like Mom taught us!"
Emily squeezed him tightly, her mind racing at light speed. Arthur Vance was moving fast. He had framed Grace to eliminate her, sent men to kidnap Leo, and planned to erase every trace of their existence before Julian could investigate further.
"Listen to me, Leo," Emily said, cupping his face in her hands, her voice shaking with intense resolve. "They took Grace. And they are coming back for you."
"Why, Em? Why are they doing this to us?"
May you like
Emily reached into her sweater, pulled out the silver medallion, and placed it into Leo’s small hand.
"Because you aren't just a boy from Seabrook, Leo," she whispered through her tears. "You are Julian Vance's son. And it's time we go claim your home."
