Chapter 9 - TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
Sebastian wanted to believe Claire had not sent the message.
Daniel wanted proof.
They got both.
Claire called twenty minutes later.
Her voice was barely audible.
“Sebastian.”
“Where are you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you text me?”
“No.”
Daniel leaned toward the phone.
“Ask her about the money.”
Sebastian hesitated.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Ask.”
“Claire… why did you receive two hundred thousand dollars after Mara died?”
Silence.
Then Claire started crying.
“I knew you’d find that.”
Sebastian closed his eyes.
“Tell me.”
“It wasn’t payment.”
“What was it?”
“Dad moved the money through my account.”
“Why?”
“To make Victor think I’d accepted his deal.”
Daniel grabbed the phone.
“What deal?”
Claire went silent.
“This is Daniel Mercer.”
Her breathing stopped.
“You’re alive.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“Were you expecting something else?”
“No.”
“Why did you take money after my wife died?”
“I didn’t.”
“It went into your account.”
“And left twelve hours later.”
Daniel checked the records.
She was right.
The entire amount had been transferred to a trust.
MERCER, ELLA.
Daniel stared.
Ella was his daughter.
His daughter had been four when Mara died.
“That money…” he whispered.
Claire answered.
“Your daughter’s college fund.”
Daniel sat down.
“Henry felt responsible.”
Sebastian looked away.
Claire continued.
“Your father wanted to confess, Sebastian. Victor threatened to destroy the company, expose everyone, and make sure Dad went to prison.”
“He deserved prison.”
“Yes.”
Sebastian flinched.
Claire’s voice cracked.
“But Dad was also trying to keep Victor from hurting anyone else.”
Daniel asked, “Where is Victor holding you?”
“I told you, I don’t know.”
“Listen.”
A truck passed somewhere near Claire.
Daniel focused.
Then a bell rang.
Three slow chimes.
He recognized it.
“There’s an old church near Bellweather.”
Claire gasped.
Daniel stood.
“She’s near the original site.”
They drove.
The old Bellweather property had become a half-finished luxury development.
At the rear stood an abandoned church.
They entered through a side door.
“Claire?”
A chair scraped.
Sebastian ran downstairs.
Claire was tied in the basement.
He cut her free.
She fell into his arms.
“I’m sorry.”
“We’re leaving.”
“No.”
She grabbed his wrist.
“Victor wants you here.”
Daniel stopped.
“What?”
Claire looked toward the stairs.
“He let me call.”
Sebastian’s blood chilled.
A slow clap came from above.
Victor appeared at the top of the basement stairs.
Four men stood behind him.
Victor smiled.
“Finally.”
May you like
He looked at Daniel.
“Now all the people Mara trusted are in one room.”
