Chapter 3 - The Speakerphone Showdown
Officer Miller stood frozen on the driveway, caught between state database records and a screaming corporate executive waving legal threats.
He looked down at the brass compass in his palm, noticing the fine filigree work around the antique glass bezel.
""Ma'am, the state computer system does not fabricate executive property titles out of thin air,"" Miller said defensively.
""If this gentleman is the registered owner on file, I have no legal authority to place him under arrest,"" Miller explained.
""Then you are completely incompetent at your job, Officer Miller!"" Claire snarled, crossing her arms over her chest.
""I know how these sophisticated white-collar syndicates operate in high-value private probate cases,"" she declared haughtily.
""They exploit probate gaps following a patriarch's death, using forged power-of-attorney documents to hijack real estate,"" she asserted.
""William Montgomery’s passing left our corporate governance structure vulnerable to bottom-feeding opportunists like this,"" she spat.
I slowly rose to my feet, brushing the loose grey gravel from the knees of my sweatpants.
Miller took half a step back, but he did not reach for his sidearm this time.
""You talk an awful lot about my father's passing for someone who only manages regional freight routes, Claire,"" I said quietly.
Her eyes narrowed into venomous slits at the sound of her first name coming out of my mouth.
""How dare you address me by my first name, you filthy fraud!"" Claire hissed, taking a threatening step forward.
""You probably dug through the trash bins outside corporate headquarters to learn employee roster names!"" she sneered.
""You think putting on a calm act makes you look like an heir to an international conglomerate?"" she mocked.
""Look at your clothes! Look at your worn-out sneakers and grease-stained hands!"" she laughed bitterly.
""A real Montgomery wouldn't be caught dead looking like a homeless warehouse laborer in a public driveway!"" she scoffed.
""My father taught me that true power never needs to announce itself with flashy suits or loud voices,"" I replied softly.
""He taught me that people who scream the loudest about their titles are usually the ones who hold the least real authority,"" I added.
Claire’s face twisted in pure rage, her hand trembling as she unlocked her luxury smartphone.
""You want to play games, you arrogant thief? Let’s see how confident you are when real power speaks!"" she declared.
""I am calling Arthur Vance, the Chief Executive Officer of W.M.G. Global Enterprises, right this second!"" she announced to everyone.
""Arthur was William Montgomery’s closest confidant for thirty-five consecutive years,"" she bragged loudly.
""He personally administers the founder’s estate and commands the entire multi-billion-dollar enterprise,"" she continued.
""When Arthur confirms that William had no son living at this address, Officer Miller will drag you to county lockup in chains!"" she shouted.
She aggressively tapped the screen, placing the call on maximum speakerphone volume so the neighbors could hear every syllable.
The ringtone echoed crisply through the quiet evening air, sounding like a digital death knell across the driveway.
Officer Miller looked visibly stressed, glancing between the luxury sports car and the woman claiming direct access to corporate royalty.
The ringtone broke, and a deep, authoritative voice answered with clear irritation.
""Claire, it is nearly eight o'clock in the evening. This line is strictly reserved for tier-one corporate emergencies,"" Arthur Vance said coldly.
""Mr. Vance, forgive the interruption, but this is a catastrophic corporate emergency!"" Claire blurted out instantly.
""I am currently standing at Twelve Whispering Pines Drive, the founder's private residential retreat!"" she announced breathlessly.
""I have caught a dangerous trespasser red-handed in the driveway attempting to steal William's custom Ferrari 812 Superfast!"" she claimed.
There was a sudden, absolute silence on the other end of the line that lasted several agonizing seconds.
""What did you just say?"" Arthur Vance asked, his voice dropping into a deadly, razor-sharp whisper.
""You heard me correctly, sir! A brazen criminal broke into the grounds dressed like a gutter transient!"" Claire continued excitedly.
""He has the vehicle keys, and worse, he is holding Mr. Montgomery’s sacred antique brass compass!"" she said triumphantly.
""The local police are here, but the criminal somehow manipulated the state vehicle database to show his name as David Montgomery!"" she shouted.
""I told the officer that this David person is an identity thief trying to hijack the late founder's private legacy!"" she gloated.
""Please instruct Officer Miller to arrest him immediately so we can secure the property for Julian's asset review!"" she concluded proudly.
Another long silence stretched across the speakerphone, so heavy that even the rustling pine leaves seemed to stop moving.
Then, a sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the phone, as if Arthur had dropped a crystal tumbler onto an office floor.
""Claire Sterling, listen to me very carefully, and do not interrupt me,"" Arthur Vance said, his voice trembling with sheer horror.
""Did you say you are at Twelve Whispering Pines Drive?"" Arthur asked slowly.
""Yes, sir, right outside the main garage!"" Claire replied, beaming with satisfaction.
""And you have called the municipal police to detain the man standing in front of you?"" Arthur continued, his tone chillingly level.
""Yes, sir! I have Officer Miller holding him at gunpoint right now!"" Claire declared proudly.
""You colossal, brainless idiot,"" Arthur Vance whispered into the phone, the words hitting like a physical blow.
Claire blinked in total confusion, the triumphant smile freezing on her face.
""Excuse me, Mr. Vance? I think the connection broke up..."" Claire stammered, her voice suddenly losing its bravado.
""Do not speak! Do not move! Do not breathe near that man!"" Arthur Vance bellowed through the speaker with terrifying fury.
""Put Officer Miller on this phone right this instant before you destroy this entire company!"" Arthur commanded.
Miller hastily took the phone from Claire's limp hand, his face pale as he pressed it to his ear.
""Officer Miller speaking, sir,"" the policeman said tentatively.
""Officer, this is Arthur Vance, Chief Executive Officer of W.M.G. Enterprises,"" Arthur's voice boomed clearly.
""If a single hair on David Montgomery’s head is harmed, I will mobilize fifty corporate attorneys to dismantle your municipality by midnight,"" Arthur said.
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""I am four minutes away in an executive motorcade; keep everyone where they stand until I arrive!"" Arthur hung up with a violent click.
Claire stared at the darkened phone screen, her manicured fingers trembling violently against the cold evening air.
