Chapter 31 - The Man in the Rain
A heavy autumn rain beat against the grand glass windows of the Vance estate as midnight struck.
David stood in the quiet foyer, wearing his dark leather coat, checking the magazine of his sidearm.
Emma was sleeping peacefully upstairs under the care of her nanny and four armed private security officers.
Outside on the driveway, the soft crunch of gravel signaled the arrival of an unannounced vehicle.
David walked to the front doors, pulling back the heavy curtain to look out into the dark, rainy night.
A dark luxury sedan sat idling near the marble steps, its headlights cutting through the thick fog.
The rear passenger door opened slowly, and a tall man wearing a navy military trench coat stepped out into the pouring rain.
He pulled off his cap, revealing short dark hair, a deep scar across his jawline, and the familiar hazel eyes of David's brother.
Thomas Vance walked up the marble steps, holding a worn leather duffel bag in his hand.
He stopped at the top landing, looking directly at David through the glass doors, holding up his silver Navy dog tags.
David unlocked the heavy oak doors, stepping out onto the porch as the wind howled through the trees.
"You're late, Thomas," David said, his voice raspy with emotion.
Thomas didn't smile; his face remained solemn, dark, and filled with a sudden, terrifying urgency.
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"They followed me, David," Thomas whispered, looking back toward the dark forest surrounding the estate.
Far down the driveway, six sets of red headlights suddenly illuminated through the heavy fog...
