Chapter 2 - Shadows at the Back Door
The heavy oak door groaned on its hinges, and Julian stepped onto the concrete patio, holding an unlit cigar in one hand and a heavy, rust-dusted iron wrench in the other. His polo shirt was pristine, yet his face carried a strange, vacant calm that made my blood run cold.
“You’re trespassing, David,” Julian said, his voice smooth, completely devoid of surprise. “Elena and I were just about to call the police on you for property damage. Look at my fence. Look at my padlock.”
I shifted Maya so my shoulder blocked her view of both Julian and the dark water behind me. I could feel her rapid, shallow heartbeat against my ribs. “She was locked in a cage, Julian. She’s dehydrated. If you step any closer, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”
Julian let out a dry, melodic chuckle. He didn’t rush. He took a single step down the brick stairs, letting the wrench dangle at his side. “She was undergoing a behavioral correction. Maya has an active imagination, David. She sees things that aren’t there. She breaks things. We had to contain her for her own safety while Elena and I dealt with a private family emergency.”
“Emergency?” I backed toward the narrow side-gate, keeping my eyes fixed on his hands. “Is that what you call throwing heavy black bags into a stagnant pool?”
For a fraction of a second, Julian’s composure cracked. His nostrils flared, and his eyes darted toward the green water behind us. “You don't know what you're talking about. You're a bitter ex-husband looking for a narrative. Leave the girl. She belongs in this house under her mother’s custody agreement.”
“Where is Elena?” I demanded, taking another step backward. “Why isn't she out here?”
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Julian didn't answer. He raised the wrench slightly, adjusting his grip. “This is your last chance to walk out of here alone, David. If you take her, it’s kidnapping.”
Before he could close the distance, a high-pitched siren wailed in the distance—Mrs. Harris must have called the police the moment I leaped the fence. Julian paused, his head tilting toward the street. That moment of hesitation was all I needed. I kicked open the latch of the side-gate, bolted down the alleyway with Maya tightly in my arms, and didn't stop until I threw her into the passenger seat of my truck, locking the doors behind us.
