Chapter 10 - Raymond’s Last Game
Raymond’s recording did not redeem him.
That was important.
He admitted everything.
The hidden custody operation.
Nicholas’s confinement.
Emma’s disappearance.
His manipulation of Victoria.
His lies to Julian.
But then he revealed something Stephen had hidden.
Raymond planned to dismantle the system before his death.
Not because he became good.
Because federal financial investigators were closing in.
Self-preservation disguised as conscience.
Still, he created a failsafe.
All original records were copied.
One encrypted archive.
Release condition:
If Stephen attempted to seize Mercer control after Raymond’s death, evidence would automatically pass to three separate beneficiaries.
Julian.
Nicholas.
And Emma.
Stephen stared at the screen.
“He never trusted me.”
Nicholas laughed bitterly.
“He didn’t trust anyone.”
Then Raymond said something else.
“Victoria Mercer must never be allowed sole access.”
Victoria stiffened.
Why?
Because Raymond had discovered she had been communicating with someone outside Stephen’s control.
Someone who knew about the hidden children.
Someone planning to expose them all.
I looked at her.
“Who?”
She shook her head.
“I can’t.”
Julian nearly screamed.
“Still?”
Victoria looked at Chloe.
“I promised.”
“To whom?”
Then Chloe whispered:
“Nice lady.”
Everyone turned.
“What lady?”
“The lady Mommy talks to downstairs.”
Emma’s face changed.
“You’ve seen her?”
Chloe nodded.
“White hair.”
Older woman.
Stephen suddenly looked terrified.
Nicholas noticed.
“Who?”
Stephen whispered:
“She’s dead.”
I laughed without humor.
“Apparently nobody stays dead in this family.”
Victoria finally answered.
“Her name is Eleanor Mercer.”
Julian stared.
“My grandmother?”
Raymond’s mother.
Officially dead for eleven years.
Victoria shook her head.
“No.”
“She isn’t?”
“She disappeared before her death certificate was filed.”
Stephen backed toward the wall.
Nicholas said:
“You’re afraid of her.”
Stephen answered:
“You should be too.”
Victoria pulled a small folded note from inside her dress.
Eleanor contacted her two years earlier.
She knew Raymond had continued the old system.
She wanted proof.
Victoria agreed to help because she still hoped to find Emma.
Eleanor gave her instructions.
Hide the children temporarily.
Collect records.
Wait.
Then Chloe discovered Emma.
Everything accelerated.
Julian whispered:
“Where is Eleanor?”
Victoria looked toward the ceiling.
“Inside this building.”
Stephen closed his eyes.
Then we heard an elderly woman’s voice through the intercom.
“Enough.”
May you like
Everyone froze.
“Bring Stephen upstairs.”
