Chapter 5 - The Knock at Midnight
The sound of the doorbell echoing through the silent house felt like a gunshot.
None of us moved. Julian sat frozen in the armchair, Harper stared at the entryway with wide, fearful eyes, and Graham looked as though he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole.
The bell rang a second time—longer, more insistent.
Ding-dong.
"Stay here," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument.
I walked out of the living room, past the hallway coat rack, and approached the heavy oak front door. My hand hovered over the brass handle. I didn't check the peephole. I simply turned the lock and pulled the door open wide.
Standing on the porch was a tall, sharply dressed man in a dark overcoat, holding a thick leather briefcase. Behind him in our driveway sat a sleek black sedan with its engine idling, headlights cutting sharp white beams through the misty night air.
"Mrs. Graham, I presume?" the man asked, his voice smooth, professional, and entirely devoid of warmth.
"Who are you?" I asked, standing my ground in the doorway.
"My name is Marcus Vance. I represent the holding entity that currently holds the consolidated debt portfolio for Arthur and Graham Enterprises," the man replied, stepping forward uninvited. "And I am here to serve notice that pursuant to the defaulted collateral agreement, the residential deed to this property has been officially transferred to our receivership, effective immediately."
From behind me in the hallway, Graham rushed forward, his face pale with fury and panic. "You can't do that! The statute of limitations on that note expired years ago!"
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Marcus Vance offered a cold, practiced smile, opening his briefcase to reveal a stack of freshly printed legal documents bearing a red corporate seal.
"Not when the note was legally renewed forty-eight hours ago by the estate's primary heir," Marcus said smoothly, his eyes shifting past Graham to look directly at Julian standing frozen in the living room doorway.
