Chapter 3 - The Woman They Wanted Declared Insane
By seven that evening, Marina Bell had become the most discussed missing woman in Northern California.
Her photograph appeared on television screens in hotel bars, restaurant kitchens, and airport lounges.
The image showed her smiling in a white dress beside Bennett Mercer.
Underneath it, a headline announced that the daughter of a prominent Sonoma distilling family had disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
Gerald stood before cameras outside the wedding estate.
He looked exhausted.
Concerned.
Almost fatherly.
"My niece has been struggling with anxiety," he said. "Today was supposed to be a beautiful day. We only want her home safely."
Marina watched from Adrian's living room.
Her hands went cold.
"He knows exactly what he's doing."
Evelyn sat beside her.
"Yes."
"He says I've been struggling with anxiety."
"Have you?"
Marina looked offended.
"Of course I've been anxious. My uncle spent six years telling me I couldn't handle my own life."
Evelyn removed her glasses.
"That wasn't a criticism, Marina. I'm asking because he may have medical records."
Marina hesitated.
Then remembered.
"Two years ago, Gerald sent me to a psychiatrist."
"Why?"
"He said I wasn't sleeping enough after my father's death."
"Six years after your father's death?"
Marina looked down.
"I know how it sounds."
"What did the psychiatrist prescribe?"
"Something for anxiety. I stopped taking it after a month. It made me feel disconnected."
Evelyn exchanged a glance with Adrian.
Marina saw it.
"What?"
"Your uncle may use that appointment to argue you can't manage your financial affairs," Evelyn explained.
"One appointment?"
"Not by itself. But he may have spent years building a narrative."
Marina remembered the family dinners.
The way Gerald introduced her as sensitive.
The way he apologized for her when she disagreed.
The way Bennett gently corrected her in front of other people.
All those tiny humiliations had seemed unrelated.
Now they looked like preparation.
Adrian switched off the television.
"Gerald wants you frightened enough to surrender."
Marina stood.
"Then I'll call him."
"No," Adrian said.
She turned.
"You don't get to tell me what to do."
"I wasn't giving an order. I'm telling you what he expects."
"Good. Then he'll be surprised."
She held out her hand.
"Phone."
Owen, standing near the doorway, looked toward Adrian.
Adrian nodded.
Owen handed Marina a secure phone.
She dialed Gerald's number from memory.
He answered on the second ring.
"Marina?"
His voice cracked.
"Thank God. Sweetheart, where are you?"
She almost cried.
For one terrible second, she wanted to believe him.
"I'm safe."
"Are you alone?"
"No."
"Is that man with you?"
Marina looked at Adrian.
"Yes."
Gerald inhaled sharply.
"Listen carefully. Adrian Vale is dangerous. Whatever he's told you—"
"I heard you."
Silence.
"I heard you and Richard talking before the ceremony."
Gerald said nothing.
"You were going to take Bell Creek."
"Marina, you're misunderstanding a complicated financial arrangement."
"No."
"Sweetheart—"
"Stop calling me that."
Another silence.
Then his voice changed.
Not dramatically.
Just enough.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Marina closed her eyes.
"I think I'm beginning to."
"You humiliated the Mercer family. You endangered a refinancing agreement. You ran away with a man whose business associates have been investigated for racketeering."
"You told Richard I didn't count."
Gerald breathed into the phone.
"That was a figure of speech."
"No. It was the truth."
She swallowed.
"At least it was your truth."
Gerald lowered his voice.
"Come home tonight, and we can resolve this privately."
"Will you give me the company records?"
"Marina—"
"Will you?"
"You don't understand what you're asking."
"Then explain it."
A long pause followed.
When Gerald spoke again, the warmth was gone.
"Your father made mistakes you know nothing about."
Marina tightened her grip on the phone.
"What mistakes?"
"He trusted people who shouldn't have been trusted."
"Like you?"
Gerald exhaled.
"You're making a terrible decision."
"Maybe."
She looked at Adrian.
"But for once, it's mine."
She ended the call.
Her knees nearly gave way.
Adrian stepped forward.
She raised one hand.
"Don't."
He stopped.
Marina walked to the window.
Beyond the glass, the vineyards disappeared into darkness.
For twenty-nine years, she had believed courage meant never disappointing the people who loved her.
Now she understood something else.
Sometimes courage meant disappointing the people who only pretended to.
Behind her, Evelyn spoke quietly.
"That was important."
Marina turned.
"Why?"
"Because he acknowledged a financial arrangement. And because the call was recorded with your consent."
Marina blinked.
"You recorded it?"
"Before you dialed, I activated the recording feature. I should have told you first."
Marina considered that.
"Next time, ask me."
Evelyn nodded.
"Fair."
A small smile touched Marina's face.
It vanished when Owen entered.
"Adrian. Someone's at the gate."
"Who?"
"Bennett Mercer."
Marina's stomach tightened.
"Alone?"
Owen shook his head.
"With a woman."
A security monitor illuminated the wall.
Bennett stood outside the gates in his wedding tuxedo.
His bow tie was missing.
His hair was disheveled.
Beside him stood a young woman in a hospital jacket.
Marina recognized her.
"That's Natalie."
"Who is Natalie?" Adrian asked.
"She was my father's executive assistant before he died."
On the screen, Natalie looked directly into the camera.
She held up a sealed envelope.
Then she spoke into the intercom.
"Marina, if you're watching, don't trust your uncle."
Marina stepped closer.
Natalie's voice trembled.
"And don't trust Bennett either."
Bennett grabbed her arm.
Natalie pulled away.
"Tell her!" she shouted.
Bennett looked toward the camera.
His face had gone white.
Finally, he spoke.
"Marina, your father didn't die of a heart attack."
The room became completely silent.
May you like
Bennett swallowed.
"He was murdered."
