Chapter 3 - The Protocol
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Dana paused on the line. I could hear the rustle of papers as she sat up in her home office.
“Are you safe, Evelyn?” she asked softly.
“Claire isn’t,” I replied. “And that means Nathan’s time is up.”
“If we execute the emergency termination now, he loses access to all corporate servers instantly,” Dana explained. “His company phone will lock. His security badge will deactivate. The formal notice will hit his personal email within sixty seconds.”
“Do it,” I said. “And flag his file as ineligible for rehire under the gross misconduct clause.”
“Consider it done,” Dana said. “Evelyn... be careful.”
I ended the call and signaled toward the street.
My dark SUV was parked fifty yards down the quiet suburban lane, its lights turned off.
My chief security driver, Marcus, was already crossing the lawn toward me, his silhouette tall and imposing against the streetlights. His partner, Simone, followed closely behind.
“Mrs. Grant,” Marcus said quietly, stopping beside me. “We saw him kick the bucket through the side window. Do you want us to intervene?”
“Not yet,” I said, turning to face the house. “First, we do this by the book.”
I dialed 911, keeping my tone crisp and measured as the dispatcher answered.
“911, what is your emergency?”
“I am witnessing an active domestic assault at 142 Elmwood Drive,” I stated clearly. “A man is currently threatening and physically restraining a woman inside the residence. I require police units immediately.”
“Units are being dispatched, ma’am,” the dispatcher said. “Are you in a safe location?”
“I am on the front porch,” I said, walking up the brick steps with Marcus and Simone right behind me. “And I am going inside.”
Through the frosted glass beside the grand oak front door, I watched the scene inside the kitchen unfold.
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Nathan had grabbed Claire’s wrist as she tried to stand up from the wet floor. Her mouth was open in a silent cry of pain as he twisted her arm behind her back.
Then, his smartphone sitting on the dining table let out a loud, distinct chime.
