Chapter 12 - A Shadow from the City
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Clara’s file sat open on my massive oak desk in the security office of the foundation. The more I read the details of her case, the colder the blood in my veins became. Her abuser was not just an angry, violent man in a suburban home. His name was Arthur Sterling, a prominent real estate developer in the city with deep ties to local law enforcement and a terrifying amount of political influence. He was exactly the kind of man who believed that wealth granted him immunity from consequence.
"He froze all her bank accounts within ten minutes of her leaving," I said aloud, looking up at David, my head of security. David was a former military contractor I had personally vetted and hired to ensure the grounds were impenetrable.
"Sterling has resources, Robert," David noted, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "He hired a private investigation firm in the city to track her phone. Luckily, Clara tossed the device into a river two hundred miles away, just like the hotline operator instructed her to."
"I want a complete digital perimeter established," I ordered, my voice hard and uncompromising. "No unauthorized vehicles within a mile of our outer gates. Upgrade the surveillance protocols."
"Consider it done."
The door to my office opened softly, and Ellen stepped inside. She carried a tray with two cups of herbal tea, her presence immediately bringing a sense of calm to the tense room. David nodded respectfully and excused himself.
"How is she doing?" I asked, standing up to take the tray from her hands.
"She’s sleeping," Ellen sighed, leaning against my chest. "The baby is fed and resting in the nursery. Robert, the things Arthur Sterling did to her... it’s horrific. He treated her like property."
"I know," I whispered, kissing the top of her head. "But she isn't property. She is under our protection now."
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"He’s powerful, Robert. Will he try to come here?"
"If he does," I said, a dangerous, familiar fire igniting in my chest, "he will quickly learn that his money means absolutely nothing against my wrath. I promise you that."
