Chapter 14 - A Father's Last Betrayal|
Nathan listened to his father's voice three times.
The recording was old, distorted, and incomplete, but the meaning was unmistakable. Daniel had known that Rose's transfer would be canceled. He had authorized it.
For twenty-three years, Nathan had imagined his father as a selfish man who had chosen a mistress over his dying wife. The truth was worse.
Daniel had knowingly participated in a scheme that placed his business above Rose's life.
Nathan gripped the piano until his knuckles turned white.
“Where did you get this?”
Vanessa wiped her face.
“My father kept the recording in a safe. He said it was insurance in case Daniel ever tried to expose him.”
“Why give it to me now?”
“Because I can't keep pretending I don't know what he did.”
Nathan looked at her.
“You knew about Claire's investigation.”
“Yes.”
“You knew she was sick.”
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
“I knew she had a heart condition. I didn't know how serious it was until the night at the hospital.”
“You told me she was seeking attention.”
“I wanted you to stay with me.”
“You wanted me to choose you.”
“Yes.”
Her admission was quiet.
Nathan felt no satisfaction in hearing it.
“You knew what my mother meant to me.”
“I knew the story you told people. I didn't understand what it meant to you.”
“That is not an excuse.”
“I know.”
Vanessa reached for the recorder.
“My father is going to destroy me for this.”
Nathan stepped away.
“You will need to tell the investigators everything you know.”
She nodded.
“I will.”
He looked toward the window.
“Why did you come here?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Because someone else has the original recording. And they know I gave you this copy.”
A car door slammed outside.
Nathan turned toward the entrance.
Samuel appeared in the doorway.
“We need to leave. Someone has followed us.”
Lucas called at the same moment.
“Two vehicles just entered the property. They aren't police.”
Nathan took the recorder and guided Vanessa toward the back corridor.
They moved through the old house, past rooms that had once belonged to his parents. At the rear entrance, Samuel waited beside the car.
A black SUV blocked the driveway.
Two men stepped out.
Nathan recognized one of them as a security contractor who had worked for Whitmore Capital.
“Mr. Mercer,” the man called. “Mr. Whitmore would like his property returned.”
Nathan held up the recorder.
“Tell him to come collect it himself.”
The man moved toward them.
Samuel stepped in front of Nathan.
“Get in the car.”
Nathan hesitated.
Samuel's expression hardened.
“Now.”
Nathan and Vanessa climbed into the vehicle. Samuel reversed sharply, cutting across the lawn before reaching the service road.
A second SUV followed.
Lucas directed them through a series of streets toward the city. By the time they reached a police station, the pursuing vehicle had disappeared.
Nathan handed the recorder to the officers.
He also gave them the financial records, the transfer documents, and Margaret's recording.
For the first time, the evidence was no longer hidden inside a private office or a locked drawer.
It was in the hands of people who could investigate it.
Vanessa agreed to make a formal statement.
Before she entered the interview room, she turned toward Nathan.
“I know you will never forgive me.”
He considered her words.
“Forgiveness isn't something you get to demand.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
He walked away.
Back at the hospital, Claire had been moved into a private recovery room. She was sitting upright, pale but alert, when Nathan arrived.
He stopped at the doorway.
“I have the recording.”
Claire looked at him.
“Of your father?”
“Yes.”
“Did Vanessa give it to you?”
“Yes.”
Claire closed her eyes briefly.
“Then she finally made one honest decision.”
Nathan stood beside the bed, leaving space between them.
“The police have the evidence. Martin is cooperating. Charles has been notified that he is under investigation.”
Claire looked at him for a long moment.
“What happens to Mercer Logistics?”
“I don't know.”
“What happens to your employees?”
“I will do everything possible to protect them.”
She nodded.
“And what happens to us?”
Nathan could not answer.
Before he could speak, Evelyn entered the room carrying a sealed envelope.
“Claire,” she said, “there is one more document you need to see.”
Claire recognized the handwriting immediately.
It belonged to her mother.
Evelyn placed the envelope on the bedside table.
“Your mother left this with me before she died. She told me to give it to you only if you ever discovered what happened to Rose Mercer.”
Claire stared at the envelope.
“My mother knew?”
Evelyn nodded.
“She knew more than anyone realized.”
Claire opened it.
May you like
Inside was a letter that began with a sentence that made her forget the pain in her chest.
My darling Claire, there is a reason your father agreed to the marriage with Nathan Mercer.
