Chapter 3 - The Sheriff’s Badge and the SerpentTrue to form, less than twenty minutes later, the flashing red and blue lights of two municipal patrol cruisers swept up the circular driveway, spraying gravel against the manicured lawn. Colin hopped out of the passenger seat of the lead squad car, looking smug, disheveled, and vindicated, flanked by two local deputies who looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.
"That’s him! That's the violent intruder!" Colin shouted, pointing aggressively through the open French doors of the study as Paul stepped out onto the veranda. "He broke into my house, assaulted me, and threatened my wife!"
Deputy Miller, a weathered veteran with graying temples, stepped forward, resting his hand casually on his holster as he climbed the steps. "Morning, sir. We’ve received a complaint of breaking and entering, property damage, and assault. I’m going to need you to step away from the doorway and place your hands behind your back."
Paul didn't move an inch. He simply reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, pulled out a thick, embossed leather portfolio, and tossed it onto the glass patio table between them.
"Read the documents before you touch your handcuffs, Deputy," Paul said evenly. "Unless you want to explain to the chief of police why you’re arresting the sole legal owner of this estate for trespassing on his own property."
Deputy Miller frowned, suspicious of the calm confidence radiating from the scarred man before him. He flipped open the portfolio, scanning the title deeds, tax assessments, and the original purchase contract registered under Paul Hayes, complete with state seals and holographic stamps dating back five years.
Beside him, Colin’s smug expression dissolved into sheer panic. "That—that’s a fake! He forged those while he was overseas! Mom gave us the house! She signed it over!"
"Your mother was suffering from severe psychological trauma and pharmaceutical coercion, Mr. Colin Hayes," a sharp, clear voice rang out from the driveway.
Mr. Sterling stepped out of a sleek black town car that had pulled in right behind the police cruisers, accompanied by two men in dark suits carrying heavy briefcases. The attorney walked up the steps, flashing a laminated bar association badge directly into Deputy Miller’s field of vision.
"I am Arthur Sterling, senior counsel for Mr. Paul Hayes," the lawyer announced smoothly. "Furthermore, we have attached an emergency injunction granted by Judge Holloway thirty minutes ago. It revokes all fraudulent power-of-attorney claims filed by Colin Hayes and orders his immediate removal from the premises for elder abuse, financial fraud, and coercion."
Deputy Miller looked from Sterling to the official court seal on the injunction, then slowly let go of his holster. He turned his gaze toward Colin, who was now backing away toward the squad car, sweating profusely.
"Well, Mr. Hayes," Deputy Miller said, addressing Paul with a respectful nod. "It looks like your brother has some serious legal complications to address down at the precinct. Shall we escort him off the property, or would you prefer a formal restraining order served right here?"
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"Serve the restraining order," Paul said coldly, his eyes locked on Colin. "And make sure he understands that if he sets foot within five miles of this estate again, I won't call the police. I’ll handle it myself."
Colin opened his mouth to scream a protest, but one look at Paul’s cold, unblinking eyes froze the words in his throat. He stumbled backward, tripping over his own designer loafers as the deputies grabbed him by the arms and shoved him into the back of the cruiser.
