Chapter 29: Touch of Evil

Zeno Dexter Eliot created with AI.

Abel was saying as he fixed them martinis, "New York is always so beautiful at Christmas. We have to go back next Christmas and experience all of it in New York, including New Year's Eve. Hey, that's an idea. Why don't we go to New York for New Year's Eve? We could watch the ball drop in Times Square, which is something everyone should experience at least once," he suggested. "Or we could enjoy a fancy dinner at one of those rooftop restaurants with a view of the skyline. If we're feeling adventurous, we might even take a midnight cruise on the Hudson River to see the fireworks."

Zeno, although he loved New York, was not fully engaged in the conversation. His attention was abruptly diverted by a sound in the hall, causing his senses to heighten. The floor creaked, sending a shiver down his spine, as he knew who was there. It was Ahab, who came for Abel's petty cash, which was more than a million dollars the last time Zeno checked, from the study's safe behind the portrait of Jacob Erikson, Abel and Ahab's father.

​Zeno's intuition was correct; Ahab had indeed returned to the house he was banned from, his presence unmistakable. Abel, oblivious to the danger, continued talking as he handed Zeno a martini.

Sipping his own, Abel followed Zeno's gaze to the door and, upon seeing Ahab, his face paled as he dropped his drink. "What are you doing here?" Abel demanded.

Ahab froze for a moment, his hand hovering near the doorframe as if caught in a spotlight. His eyes widened, but he quickly composed himself, offering a sly grin that betrayed no hint of remorse. "Just thought I'd drop by for old times' sake," he replied nonchalantly, though his voice carried a hint of defiance.

Zeno took a deep breath, trying to remain calm in the tense situation. He stepped forward, positioning himself between Abel and Ahab, and said, "Ahab, it's time for us to talk. Let's go somewhere private and sort this out before things get out of hand."

"You knew about this?" Abel's voice rose in anger, his eyes flashing with betrayal. "You and my Zeno together on this?"

Zeno, still reeling from the revelation, tried again to interject, but the brothers' confrontation escalated. Ahab's smirk faded, replaced by a steely resolve as he stepped closer to Abel, their faces inches apart. The tension in the room thickened, each brother waiting for the other to make the next move. Abel's anger boiled over, and he shoved Ahab back. Ahab stumbled but quickly regained his footing, his eyes locked onto Abel's. Zeno, sensing the impending violence, stepped in again, pleading for them to stop. But the brothers were beyond reason, their emotions raw and unchecked.

"Get the hell out! You're trespassing!" Abel screamed, his voice echoing through the house. In an instant, Zeno knocked him unconscious with a vase, leaving Ahab with a sly grin.

"Do what you have to do and go. Just go," Zeno urged Ahab, turning as Zelta’s door creaked open.

"Mother, it’s me," Ahab said, his voice softening.

In the dark hall, Zelta stood trembling, clutching the Luger pistol.

"No, it’s not you. Stop right there," she commanded, her voice shaky as she aimed the weapon.

​Zeno began to rise, but at that very moment, the lights went out, plunging the house into complete darkness with a gunshot echoing through the void...