Chapter 7: B: Hallway Ambush

👉 [Previous choice]: You chose Option B – Confront both Kincaid and Arthur together in the upper hallway.

I watched Kincaid unlock the front door. Uncle Arthur, still fumbling with the jammed side cellar door, finally gave up. “This old house is a deathtrap, Kincaid!” he grumbled.

“Patience, Arthur,” Kincaid replied, a triumphant gleam in his eye. “The real treasure is inside.”

Silas, looking pale, tried to make himself scarce. This was my only chance.

I emerged from the shadows of the porch, my voice ringing out, “Julian Kincaid! Uncle Arthur! Stop this!”

Both men turned, startled. Uncle Arthur’s face twisted into a scowl. “Maya! What in blazes are you doing here?”

“I’m here to stop Kincaid from desecrating our family home,” I declared, holding up Clara’s journal. “He’s a fraud, Uncle. He’s after a cursed mirror. He manipulated you.”

Kincaid simply smiled, a chillingly calm expression. “Nonsense, dear girl. Your uncle and I have a perfectly legal arrangement. He’s simply exercising his rights as the executor of the Holloway estate.”

Just then, two patrol cars, responding to a silent alarm Kincaid must have planted, pulled up to the house. The officers got out, their hands resting on their holsters.

“What’s the situation here?” one of them asked, looking between us.

“Officers,” Kincaid said smoothly, stepping forward. “This young woman is disturbing the peace. She’s been making wild accusations, claiming I’m trespassing. Her estranged uncle, Arthur Holloway, here, can confirm that I am legally present.”

Uncle Arthur, seeing the officers, puffed out his chest. “That’s right, Officer. This girl, Maya, she’s… well, she’s been a bit unstable since her sister’s death. She’s not even a legal resident here anymore. I’m afraid I had to disown her to protect my interests and the estate.”

“Disown me?” I stammered, aghast. “You signed a fraudulent deed, you greedy old man!”

“Her claims are baseless, Officer,” Kincaid interjected. “We have the signed power of attorney, the deed transfer, everything in order. This property is now legally mine. She’s the trespasser.”

The officers exchanged glances. The paperwork Kincaid held seemed legitimate. Uncle Arthur, standing next to Kincaid, nodded vigorously. I was outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and betrayed. My own uncle had sealed my fate, making me the criminal in the eyes of the law.