The Winter Vow

Nathaniel moved instantly, pulling Sarah and Lily to the floor behind his heavy mahogany desk. "Stay down," he commanded in a harsh whisper.

He crawled to the window and peered over the sill. It wasn't Richard's Mercedes. It was three local police cruisers, their red and blue lights slicing through the falling snow.

"They're police," Sarah panicked, clutching Lily to her chest. "He called the police on us. He’s going to say we broke in."

Nathaniel's mind worked furiously. Richard realized who the child was. He knew Sarah had the watch, and he suspected they were here to expose him. By calling the police to Nathaniel's home under the guise of a break-in, Richard was forcing a confrontation, hoping to get Sarah arrested or worse, fully discredited before Nathaniel could look into the files.

"Stay right here," Nathaniel said, grabbing the flash drive and slipping it into his breast pocket.

He walked out of the study and opened the front door just as two officers bounded up the steps, hands resting on their holstered weapons.

"Nathaniel Whitmore?" the lead officer barked.

"I am Nathaniel Whitmore. What is the meaning of this?"

"We received a call from a Richard Vance," the officer said, stepping into the foyer and shining his flashlight around. "He reported a home invasion. Claimed an unstable woman who has been stalking your company forced her way into your home with a child."

"There is no home invasion," Nathaniel said coldly, his voice echoing with absolute authority. "Mr. Vance is mistaken. I have guests."

The officer’s radio crackled. He listened for a moment, then looked back at Nathaniel, his expression hardening. "Mr. Whitmore, I’m afraid I need you to step outside. We have a warrant for your arrest."