Chapter 20 - LIAM’S MOTHER WASN’T DEADLiam had been told his mother died when he was seven.
Cancer.
Private funeral.
Closed casket.
He remembered Victor standing beside him.
You are the man now.
Liam had believed those words for thirty-five years.
Katherine Mercer’s records showed she lived at least twelve years after her supposed death.
Under different names.
Working with Harrington.
Adrian stared at the photograph.
“So your mother helped kill mine?”
Liam didn’t defend her.
“I don’t know.”
“She was there.”
“I can see that.”
Adrian’s eyes filled with fury.
“You got a mother and I got a laboratory subject.”
Liam stood completely still.
Clara stepped between them.
“Neither of you got a mother.”
Adrian looked at her.
Clara pointed toward the photograph.
“You got fathers and doctors making decisions around you.”
She looked at Liam.
“And lies.”
Adrian walked away.
Liam followed him outside.
They stood on the hospital roof.
For a long time neither spoke.
Then Adrian said:
“I spent half my life hating you.”
“I know.”
“I thought Dad loved you more.”
“He didn’t love either of us.”
Adrian laughed bitterly.
“That should make me feel better?”
“No.”
Liam looked over Chicago.
“He loved ownership.”
“People. Companies. Us.”
Adrian nodded.
Liam’s phone vibrated.
Leo.
The drive from Grace’s elephant had been decrypted.
One video file.
Liam returned downstairs.
Clara stood beside the monitor.
Grace’s toy had contained a recording made seven years earlier.
A woman appeared onscreen.
Late sixties.
Thin.
Gray hair.
But Liam recognized her immediately.
He stopped breathing.
“Katherine.”
His mother looked into the camera.
“If you are watching this, Samuel Harrington has lost control.”
Liam sat.
Katherine continued.
“Liam, I am sorry.”
His eyes filled.
“I allowed your father to tell you I was dead because I believed leaving would keep you safe.”
Clara looked toward him.
Those words echoed Daniel Bennett.
Parents calling abandonment protection.
Katherine continued.
“I was wrong.”
She admitted working with Harrington.
Originally, the research had been legitimate.
Rare immune disorders.
Genetic therapies.
Then Victor realized what desperate patients would pay.
He funded illegal trials.
Katherine stayed too long.
“Elizabeth Vale died because I signed a protocol I knew had not been adequately tested.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
Katherine began crying on the recording.
“I did not intend to kill her.”
Adrian whispered:
“But you did.”
The video continued.
Katherine eventually tried to expose Victor.
He threatened Liam.
So she disappeared.
“But Samuel never stopped.”
Katherine leaned toward the camera.
“And if he tells you I am dead…”
She paused.
“He is lying.”
The video ended.
Nobody spoke.
Clara turned to Liam.
“Your mother may be alive.”
Adrian laughed without humor.
“Great.”
He walked toward the door.
Liam caught him.
“Adrian.”
His brother looked at him.
“What?”
“You decide what happens next.”
Adrian stared.
“What does that mean?”
“She hurt your mother.”
Liam’s voice was quiet.
“If we find Katherine, you decide whether you ever want to see her.”
Adrian studied him.
Then nodded.
For once, his brother gave him something Victor never had.
Choice.
Leo’s phone rang.
He listened.
Then whispered:
“We found Harrington.”
Liam stood.
“Where?”
Leo looked toward the hospital room containing Hannah.
“He’s outside your farmhouse.”
May you like
Clara went white.
Grace was there.
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