Chapter 10 - The Midnight Trap
Blinded by the sudden glare of the overhead lights, Gregory Vance stumbled backward against the kitchen island, his hand instinctively dropping toward his coat pocket where a heavy metal multi-tool rested.
"You're making a massive mistake, Mercer," Gregory sneered, trying to mask his rising panic with legal bravado. "This is unauthorized detention! I’m a licensed attorney! I'll sue you for false imprisonment!"
"You're standing in my kitchen at two in the morning with a crowbar in your hand," Daniel replied evenly, not shifting his stance by a single inch. "The only place you're going is a holding cell."
Before Gregory could lunge forward or reach for his pocket, heavy footsteps echoed from the front hallway. Maria Alvarez and Tom Higgins—who had dropped by to deliver leftover holiday food and check on plant security protocols—stepped into the kitchen, blocking the exit entirely. Tom casually twirled a heavy steel wrench in his palm.
"Looks like we caught a rat trying to raid the pantry," Tom grinned darkly, staring down the disgraced lawyer.
Gregory realized he was completely cornered. His legal threats were useless against three people who had just spent the week dismantling an entire corporate syndicate. With a frustrated curse, he dropped the crowbar onto the tile floor and raised his hands in surrender.
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"Smart choice," Daniel said, dialing 911 on his mobile phone with his free hand. "Chicago Police Department? Yes, I'd like to report a break-in at my residence. We have an uninvited guest who was just trying to steal corporate evidence. Send a cruiser, please."
Within fifteen minutes, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the snowy Chicago street. Two police officers marched up the snowy walkway, slapped handcuffs securely onto Gregory Vance’s wrists, and led him out into the freezing night air. As they pushed him into the back of the cruiser, Gregory cast one final, venomous glare toward the front porch. Daniel simply looked back with quiet indifference. The threat was finally, permanently neutralized.
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