Chapter 8 - THE DINNER THAT TURNED INTO A TRAP
Mark was waiting in the living room.
So was Linda.
So was Rachel.
But there was someone else.
A man I had never seen before.
Victor Hale.
He stood when I entered.
“Mrs. Mercer.”
I stared at him.
“You know who I am.”
“I know much more than you realize.”
I walked inside.
“Then let's stop pretending.”
Victor smiled.
“I like that.”
Linda looked terrified.
Rachel wouldn't meet my eyes.
Mark stood beside them.
“What do you want?”
Victor looked at me.
“Your inheritance.”
I laughed.
“At least you're honest.”
“I am.”
“You've spent months trying to access it.”
“I've spent years.”
“Why?”
“Your father stole something from me.”
“My father accused you of stealing from him.”
“Your father was wrong.”
“Then why didn't you prove it?”
“Because he died.”
I shook my head.
“You've been using my family.”
“I gave them an opportunity.”
“You threatened them.”
“I motivated them.”
I looked at Mark.
“Did you know?”
He shook his head.
“Not everything.”
Victor smiled.
“Your husband has always been weak.”
Mark flinched.
“You're the reason my family is falling apart.”
“No.”
Victor looked at me.
“You are.”
I smiled.
“Interesting.”
I pulled out my phone.
“You should know something.”
Victor's expression changed.
“I recorded everything.”
Linda gasped.
Rachel's face drained of color.
Victor remained calm.
“That's illegal.”
“Not where I work.”
I tapped the screen.
“And this is interesting too.”
I displayed a spreadsheet.
Transfers.
Shell companies.
Bank accounts.
Dates.
Names.
Victor stared.
“You've been investigating me.”
“For three weeks.”
“You couldn't have uncovered all that.”
“I didn't.”
I smiled.
“Your bank did.”
His face changed.
I continued.
“I contacted the compliance department of one of your financial institutions.”
Victor stood.
“You have no authority—”
“I don't need authority to report suspicious transactions.”
Silence.
“And I sent copies of everything to federal investigators.”
Linda started crying.
Rachel whispered,
“What did you do?”
“What I should have done six months ago.”
Victor's calm disappeared.
“You think this ends here?”
“No.”
I stepped closer.
“It ends in court.”
Victor suddenly grabbed Mark.
Mark stumbled.
I shouted.
Daniel appeared from the hallway.
“Let him go.”
Victor released him.
Two officers entered behind Daniel.
Victor looked at me.
“You planned this.”
“Yes.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You think arresting me protects you?”
“No.”
I looked at Linda.
“Divorcing Mark does.”
Mark looked at me.
“Elena…”
I shook my head.
“I'm sorry.”
Then I walked away.
Behind me, Linda screamed.
Rachel sobbed.
Mark called my name.
And Victor Hale was handcuffed.
May you like
For the first time in six months...
the house was quiet.
