Chapter 6 - Breaking the Gates
By 3:00 p.m., our black sedan pulled up to the iron gates of the Mercer estate, accompanied this time by two marked cruisers carrying local police deputies and a state social services caseworker named Detective Vance.
The security intercom buzzed angrily as we approached the main house.
“You are trespassing on private property!” Victoria Mercer’s voice screeched over the speaker, sounding entirely unhinged from her usual polished composure. “Turn around immediately or I will have you arrested!”
Detective Vance stepped forward, flashing his gold shield directly at the security camera. “State welfare check and execution of a court-mandated protective custody order for Emily Mercer. Open these gates immediately, Mrs. Mercer, or we will breach them with a warrant.”
A tense thirty seconds ticked by. Then, with a heavy mechanical groan, the iron gates swung wide open.
We marched up the cobblestone path and knocked firmly on the grand oak front door. It was opened not by Victoria or Richard, but by Daniel. He looked disheveled, his tie loosened, his eyes bloodshot and frantic.
“Claire... please,” Daniel stammered, stepping into the doorway to block our path. “You’re making a massive mistake. This is a private family matter.”
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“Move aside, Daniel,” I said, my voice cutting through his desperation like a blade. “Your family’s reign of terror in this house is over.”
Detective Vance pushed past him, followed by the social services caseworker and local deputies. We moved directly through the foyer, ignoring Daniel’s protests, and headed straight toward the rear service wing leading down to the root cellar.
