Chapter 9: B: Physical Threat

👉 [Previous Decision]: You chose Option B – Demand Arthur sign a written confession under threat of violence.

Arthur Pendelton’s gaze was fixed on the digital copy of the letter on his desk. He picked it up, his thumb brushing over the image of his father’s signature.

“A rather creative piece of… historical fiction, wouldn’t you say?” he murmured, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“It’s not fiction, Arthur,” I stated, my voice shaking slightly despite my efforts. “It’s a confession. Your father wrote about your murders. I want a signed confession from you. Now.”

I stepped closer, my hand clenching into a fist. The adrenaline surged. He had ruined lives, ended careers, and taken lives. He deserved to face justice.

“Sign it,” I demanded, pointing to a blank paper on his desk. My hand trembled, hovering near his shoulder.

Arthur watched me, his eyes calm, almost amused. His fingers moved under the edge of his massive desk, a barely perceptible motion.

“Violence, Mr. Kross?” he asked, his voice still soft. “Is that truly the path of a man of integrity?”

A sudden, piercing alarm shrilled through the room. Not a loud, blaring sound, but a high-frequency tone that vibrated through the floor. A silent distress signal.

Before I could react, the thick oak doors I had locked from the inside splintered inward with a loud crash. Sheriff Thaddeus Pendelton burst in, his face red with exertion, his pistol drawn. Behind him were two other deputies.

“Freeze!” Thaddeus yelled, his weapon leveled at me. “Julian Kross, you are under arrest for assault, trespass, and unlawful detainment of a private citizen!”

Arthur Pendelton leaned back in his chair, a look of serene triumph on his face. He smoothed his suit jacket.

“Thank you, Thaddeus,” he said, his voice completely steady. “Timely as ever.”