Chapter 6 - My Father’s Second Funeral
Daniel Mercer was dead.
Unlike Patrick, there had been a body.
Vincent confirmed it.
Dental records.
Autopsy.
Burial.
So Daniel hadn't paid Evan.
Someone used his identity.
The authorization originated from an old Mercer family trust.
I was the beneficiary.
But someone else had signing authority.
“Who?”
Vincent's people traced it.
Margaret Mercer.
My mother.
Also dead.
This was becoming absurd.
Then Declan found the amendment.
Three months before Margaret died, she transferred signing authority to someone called Trustee M.
No full name.
Vincent stared at the signature.
He recognized the handwriting.
Eleanor.
His mother.
I laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
Because my mind had reached its limit.
“Your mother paid my husband to marry me?”
“Apparently.”
“Why?”
Vincent called Eleanor.
She answered.
“Yes.”
No denial.
She had funded Evan.
But she claimed the marriage wasn't the plan.
She paid him to protect me.
Evan was a former private security contractor.
He was supposed to watch me anonymously after Eleanor learned someone had accessed old Mercer genetic records.
Instead, Evan approached me.
Then married me.
“He violated every instruction.”
“You continued paying him.”
“I didn't know.”
“How could you not know who I married?”
Silence.
Eleanor knew.
She had simply chosen not to intervene.
Why?
“Because you were happy.”
That answer made me angrier.
“You don't get to decide which lies I'm happy inside.”
Vincent looked at me.
Something passed between us.
Recognition.
His mother had controlled him with protection too.
Then Declan received a message.
Evan wanted to trade information.
He would surrender.
But only to Claire.
Vincent said no.
I said yes.
We compromised.
Evan was brought to a secured warehouse.
I sat behind reinforced glass.
Vincent remained beside me.
Evan looked exhausted.
Not remorseful.
“Is she alive?”
I almost stood.
“You don't get to ask about my daughter.”
“Our daughter.”
“No.”
That hurt him.
Good.
“Why did you leave me?”
“I was ordered to.”
“By whom?”
“Patrick.”
Vincent leaned forward.
Evan shook his head.
“Not Callahan.”
I frowned.
“Then who?”
Evan smiled bitterly.
“Patrick Mercer.”
My father's brother.
I had never heard the name.
Daniel had a younger brother.
Patrick Mercer.
Another family secret.
“He's alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
Evan looked at Vincent.
“Running the organization that's been keeping your father alive.”
The medical program didn't belong to the Callahans.
It belonged to the Mercers.
My family.
Evan had been ordered to bring my baby to Patrick Mercer.
Why?
Not to save Patrick Callahan.
To control him.
My daughter was leverage.
Then Evan looked at me.
“I did leave you in that cabin.”
My throat tightened.
“But I came back.”
“With armed men.”
“They weren't mine.”
“What?”
“I returned alone.”
He claimed the SUVs intercepted him.
They forced him to make demands outside the cabin.
“Why should I believe you?”
“You shouldn't.”
Then he leaned closer to the glass.
“But ask Vincent why he was on that mountain.”
I turned.
Vincent went still.
Evan smiled.
“He hasn't told you, has he?”
“Tell me what?”
Vincent said nothing.
Evan answered.
“Vincent wasn't lost in the storm.”
May you like
Pause.
“He was sent there to kill your husband.”
