Chapter 8 - The Mother Who Knew Too Much
Rebecca Shaw had been declared dead twice.
The first time, she disappeared after the warehouse fire.
The second time, Gerald told Lily she had died in a highway accident.
Neither story was true.
Marina discovered that before breakfast.
The documents inside the metal case included a private investigator's report dated six years earlier.
Rebecca had been photographed entering a medical facility in Oregon under another name.
The report included an address.
And a handwritten note from Daniel Bell.
Rebecca has the original recording. She won't surrender it until Lily is safe.
Lily read the sentence three times.
Then sat down on the dusty floor.
"My mother is alive."
Marina crouched beside her.
"Maybe."
Lily shook her head.
"No. She is."
Her voice cracked.
"She has to be."
Marina took her hand.
For once, she did not offer false reassurance.
She understood too well what hope could do to a grieving daughter.
Adrian called Evelyn.
Within an hour, they learned the medical facility had closed four years earlier.
Its records had been transferred to a private healthcare management company.
That company was owned by a Mercer Capital subsidiary.
Adrian stared at the screen.
"Richard."
Marina felt anger rise.
"He's been controlling everything."
"Not everything," Adrian said.
He looked at her.
"Not anymore."
They returned to the house.
Evelyn had already arranged for an independent forensic accountant, a criminal defense attorney, and a former federal financial investigator to review the evidence.
Marina listened as they explained the likely legal battle.
Gerald's petition could be challenged.
The trust records could be audited.
The marriage-related restructuring was incomplete because Marina had neither married Bennett nor signed the required agreements.
But Bell Creek's debts were real.
And Richard Mercer controlled much of the financing.
"If Mercer accelerates the loans," the accountant explained, "Bell Creek could face a liquidity crisis before your birthday."
Marina looked at the financial statements.
For years, she had avoided them.
Not because she was incapable.
Because every time she asked a question, Gerald made her feel foolish.
Now she forced herself to read.
Revenue.
Expenses.
Debt.
Cash reserves.
The numbers were difficult.
But they were not impossible.
"How much do we actually owe?" she asked.
The accountant pointed to a figure.
"Approximately twenty-eight million dollars, including disputed obligations."
Marina stared.
"How much of that debt is legitimate?"
"We don't know yet."
"Then that's the first thing we find out."
The accountant nodded.
Adrian watched her quietly.
Later, when everyone had left the room, he found her sitting at the kitchen island with three financial reports open.
She looked exhausted.
"You should sleep."
She didn't look up.
"Don't start."
He placed a sandwich beside her.
"I wasn't ordering you."
She glanced at it.
"What's that?"
"Turkey."
"I didn't ask for food."
"You also haven't eaten since yesterday."
Marina considered arguing.
Instead, she took the sandwich.
"Thank you."
Adrian sat opposite her.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Marina asked, "Why do you do it?"
"What?"
"Help people."
He almost smiled.
"That's a generous description of my reputation."
"Your reputation isn't an answer."
He looked down.
"My father believed loyalty meant protecting the people who trusted you."
"And you?"
"I spent years confusing loyalty with control."
Marina studied him.
"That sounds familiar."
He nodded.
"Yes."
She set down the sandwich.
"Are you dangerous?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
"I've done things I'm not proud of."
"Illegal things?"
"Yes."
She appreciated the lack of excuses.
"Are you still doing them?"
"Some of my businesses operate in places where the rules aren't always respected. I've been trying to change that."
"Trying isn't the same as succeeding."
"No."
She looked at him for a long time.
"Then don't ask me to trust you blindly."
"I won't."
That was the first moment Marina wanted to kiss him.
Not because he was powerful.
Not because he had rescued her.
Because he had answered a difficult question without making her feel foolish for asking it.
She looked away first.
Adrian noticed.
He said nothing.
The following afternoon, Lily received a message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph.
Rebecca Shaw sat beside a window in a modest room.
She was older.
Her blond hair had gone almost entirely gray.
But she was unmistakably alive.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
Come alone. No police. No Vale.
Lily immediately reached for her coat.
Marina stopped her.
"Wait."
"That's my mother."
"I know."
"She's alive."
"I know."
"Then get out of my way."
Marina held her gaze.
"Someone sent that photograph because they knew exactly what you would do."
Lily hesitated.
Adrian examined the message.
"The number is masked."
"Can you trace it?" Marina asked.
"Possibly."
Lily began pacing.
"I've waited twelve years."
Marina stepped closer.
"And I'm not going to lose you twelve hours after finding you."
Lily stopped.
Her face crumpled.
Marina embraced her.
Neither noticed the second message arrive.
Adrian did.
He read it.
Then went completely still.
Marina turned.
"What?"
He showed her the screen.
Bring Marina Bell instead.
A second photograph appeared.
It showed Rebecca holding a newspaper.
Today's newspaper.
Beside her stood a man whose face was partially hidden.
Marina zoomed in.
She recognized the watch.
The cuff links.
The wedding ring.
May you like
It was Gerald.
And he was holding a gun.
