CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY – EVEN WORSE NEWS

Julian paced the confines of his holding cell like a newly-caged predator, wearing a groove into the scuffed linoleum. The last, ephemeral shards of arrogant denial sputtered within him, rapidly being eclipsed by a growing sense of disquiet and powerlessness. Worse even than knowing he'd been framed by Alexander and likely the Von Beckers was the looming specter of what that meant for Charlotte and the rest of his beleaguered family in his enforced absence. Those rapacious bastards wouldn't hesitate to carve them asunder while he was trapped in this cage like a declawed, neutered animal. The sound of approaching footsteps and the metallic clang of security doors being thrown open made him stiffen warily. Wheeler and Jameson both entered looking even more grave and haggard than usual. "Well?" He demanded without preamble, striding up until his face was a handbreadth from the plexiglass barrier. "What's the verdict from the men working around the clock on this?" Wheeler looked ill as