“Mr. Vance, we need to speak with you about an incident that occurred at Titan’s Forge gym yesterday.”
“Come in.” Julian motioned them toward the kitchen.
Eleanor was standing beside the counter, wearing the composed, sharp expression of a woman who had spent the previous night making calls, gathering medical records, and preparing for this exact moment.
Detective Kent opened his notebook. “Four men are currently hospitalized. Perry Cox suffered a fractured jaw and broken ribs. Lamar Duncan has internal bleeding. Brenton Cantrell has a ruptured eardrum. Andres White’s knee has been destroyed. Dustin Freeman has a concussion, a broken nose, and seven missing teeth.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Julian replied evenly, taking a slow sip.
“Multiple witnesses recorded you assaulting these men.”
“Self-defense. Five men surrounded me and threatened me. One of them approached me with a weapon. I defended myself.”
Sue Shepard leaned forward. “Mr. Vance, these men are claiming—”
