Chapter 14 - Race Against Death
Julian didn't hesitate.
He slammed the butt of his pistol hard against Arthur's temple, knocking the old man unconscious to the floor.
Julian sprinted out of the security room, his heart hammering against his ribs like a freight train.
"CHLOE!" he screamed at the top of his lungs as he bounded up the stairs four steps at a time.
"CHLOE, DON'T DRINK THE WATER!"
Upstairs in the master suite, Chloe was standing in the bathroom, filling a glass of water from the faucet for Lily.
Lily was sitting on the bed, holding her favorite stuffed bear.
"Here you go, sweetie, drink some water," Chloe said, turning around with the filled glass.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Julian slammed his body violently against the locked master bedroom door.
"Chloe! Drop the glass! DON'T DRINK IT!" Julian roared from the hallway.
Chloe startled, dropping the glass onto the hard bathroom tile.
It shattered into dozens of sharp pieces, splashing clear water across her shoes.
Julian kicked the door frame with all his strength, breaking the deadbolt lock and bursting into the room.
He grabbed Chloe by the shoulders, checking her frantically.
"Did you drink it?! Did Lily drink any of it?!" Julian panicked, his eyes wild.
"No! No, I dropped it when you screamed!" Chloe replied, terrified.
"What is happening, Julian?!"
Julian slumped against the wall, taking a massive gasp of air as relief flooded his body.
"It was Arthur," Julian panted, his chest heaving.
"Arthur was the one behind Clara's death."
"He poisoned the water supply to this wing."
Chloe gasped, covering her mouth in sheer horror.
"Arthur...? The butler who has been here for twenty years?"
"He was working with Victoria... or rather, using her," Julian explained grimly.
Downstairs, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the grand foyer.
Julian quickly drew his gun again, pushing Chloe and Lily behind him.
"Stay here," Julian ordered.
He slowly walked out into the corridor, leaning over the banister to look down into the main hall.
Arthur was no longer on the floor of the security room.
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The main front doors of the mansion were wide open, letting in the howling wind and rain.
And standing in the doorway was a silhouette holding a dark briefcase.
