If you don't shoot that monster by midnight, Arthur, I'll clear out your pension and fire you on the spot, my boss, Richard Callahan, barked across the estate desk.
The discovery of Caleb’s tool kit by Chloe changed everything. The silence from her was unnerving, but I knew she was putting the pieces together.
That evening, a heavy-handed knock echoed through Martha Kincaid’s small cottage. I was there, checking on Leo and Barnaby.
Martha opened the door to find Richard Callahan standing on her porch, flanked by two of Caleb Myers’ security guards. Caleb himself was conspicuously absent. Richard’s face was contorted in fury.
“Arthur,” Richard snarled, his eyes blazing, “I told you to leave the property. You’re trespassing.”
“I’m here to help Martha,” I replied calmly. “She lives here.”
Richard’s sneer deepened. He held up a document. “Not for long. This is an immediate, self-executed eviction notice.”
Martha gasped, clutching her chest. “Eviction? What are you talking about?”
“This cottage, Martha, is on Callahan Estate land,” Richard declared, his voice hard and unyielding. “It’s deemed a liability. A breeding ground for… nuisance animals.” He glanced pointedly at Barnaby, who was resting peacefully by Leo’s feet.
Leo, seeing the tension, instinctively moved closer to Barnaby, his small hand stroking the wolfdog’s fur.
“I’m giving you forty-eight hours,” Richard continued, his voice devoid of any compassion. “Forty-eight hours to clear out your belongings. After that, this cottage will be demolished to make way for a new wildlife barrier. Starting immediately.”
“A wildlife barrier?” I challenged, my voice rising. “This is about clearing land for development, isn’t it? You want to get rid of anyone who might speak up.”
Richard’s eyes narrowed. “Any impediment to the estate’s progress will be removed, Arthur. And anyone who obstructs it will face the full force of the law.”
He pointed a finger at me. “If you set foot on the main driveway again, I will have you arrested for criminal trespassing. Consider this your final warning. Get off my property.”
He turned on his heel, leaving Martha trembling on her porch, the eviction notice clutched in her hand. Leo looked up at me, his eyes wide with fear and confusion.
Forty-eight hours. Richard wasn’t just threatening me or Barnaby anymore. He was threatening Martha and Leo’s home, their sanctuary. He was escalating, trying to destroy any evidence or witness connected to the “beast” story before Chloe could act. This wasn’t just about money; it was about power, intimidation, and crushing anyone in his path.
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