Chapter 5 - THE BILLION-DOLLAR TRAITOR
Nathan Cross had worked beside Daniel for fourteen years.
He knew Daniel’s schedule.
His investments.
His private accounts.
His security protocols.
He had attended Daniel’s father's funeral.
He had been standing in the hallway when Little Bird first returned.
And when Lucy hummed the melody, Nathan had recognized her.
Daniel finally understood that fraction of a second.
The fear in his CFO’s eyes.
By midnight, Nathan was gone.
His Manhattan apartment was empty.
His company phone had been destroyed.
Thirty-two million dollars had moved out of Mercer-controlled subsidiaries during the previous six hours.
“He was preparing this,” Daniel said.
They were gathered inside the secure command room beneath the estate.
Grace sat beside Bennett, whose arm had required twelve stitches.
Lucy slept curled across Grace’s lap.
Alexander had been handed to federal authorities after Daniel’s attorneys persuaded him that privately imprisoning a confessed murderer would create “unnecessary complications.”
Daniel had reluctantly agreed.
Bennett looked at the financial reports.
“Nathan’s father worked for Alexander.”
Daniel turned.
“You knew that too?”
“I knew his father was an accountant.”
“Did you know he helped Alexander?”
“No.”
Daniel slammed one palm against the desk.
“How many secrets did everyone around me have?”
Grace looked up.
“Probably about as many as you do.”
He stared at her.
She didn't flinch.
That was becoming one of the most unnerving things about Grace.
She treated him like a person.
Not an institution.
Daniel exhaled.
“Fair.”
A security analyst entered.
“We found Cross.”
“Where?”
“Not him physically. His car.”
“Where?”
“Near the old Mercer botanical property.”
Bennett went white.
“The conservatory.”
Daniel was already standing.
Grace stood too.
“No.”
He turned.
“You are staying here.”
“No.”
“Grace.”
“The key is mine.”
“It belonged to Maria.”
“Which means she gave it to me.”
“Someone has already torn apart your apartment and sent my murderous uncle into this house.”
“And you think that makes me want to sit in a basement?”
Daniel stared.
“Yes.”
“Well, it doesn't.”
“Lucy.”
Grace looked down at her daughter.
That was different.
Bennett spoke.
“I'll stay with her.”
Grace hesitated.
Lucy shifted in her sleep.
Daniel saw the war in Grace’s face.
Mother versus daughter.
Answers versus safety.
“I have an idea,” Bennett said.
He looked toward the medical suite adjoining the secure floor.
“Rosa is downstairs with her grandchildren. Lucy knows her. Security won't leave this level.”
Grace finally nodded.
She kissed Lucy’s forehead.
“If she wakes—”
“I'll bring her to you myself.”
Grace looked at Bennett.
“Don't get sentimental.”
He smiled weakly.
“Wouldn't dream of it.”
Twenty minutes later, Daniel and Grace drove toward the abandoned botanical estate with six security vehicles.
The conservatory stood behind an overgrown stone wall.
Daniel had not been there since he was eight.
He remembered his mother laughing beneath glass ceilings.
Remembered roses growing while snow covered the grounds.
Winter blooming in July.
The main doors were open.
Daniel drew his weapon.
Grace looked at it.
“I'm going to say this once.”
“What?”
“If shooting starts, you get behind me.”
She stared.
“Because billionaires are bulletproof?”
“Because you have a daughter.”
The argument died.
They entered.
Dead vines hung from iron frames.
Broken glass glittered beneath moonlight.
At the center stood a locked white door.
Grace inserted the brass key.
Click.
The room beyond was smaller than Daniel remembered.
A writing desk.
Shelves.
An old piano bench.
A portrait of Evelyn.
Daniel stopped.
Grace moved toward the desk.
Inside the top drawer were cassette tapes.
Dozens.
Each labeled with dates.
Financial files filled another drawer.
Company ledgers.
Payments.
Shell corporations.
Names.
Nathan Cross.
Alexander Mercer.
And Daniel’s father.
Grace whispered, “Oh my God.”
Daniel picked up a ledger.
His father had known.
Not just about Evelyn.
About everything.
“He covered it up.”
Grace watched him.
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“My entire life I tried to become him.”
“Maybe you became successful because you wanted his approval.”
“What's the difference?”
“One means you are him.”
She stepped closer.
“The other means you still get to choose.”
Before Daniel could answer, applause echoed behind them.
Slow.
Mocking.
Nathan Cross stood in the doorway.
A pistol in his hand.
“Grace Reyes.”
She froze.
Nathan smiled.
“You've caused remarkable trouble for someone who changes sheets.”
Daniel moved in front of her.
Nathan raised the gun.
“Don't.”
“You won't leave here.”
“Probably not.”
Nathan looked amused.
“You don't seem worried.”
“I’m wondering why you came yourself.”
Nathan’s smile vanished slightly.
“You could have sent men.”
Silence.
“You couldn't trust anyone,” Daniel continued.
“Nathan Cross, billionaire CFO, money everywhere, partners everywhere, and suddenly you have nobody.”
“Shut up.”
“Alexander talked.”
Nathan’s eyes sharpened.
“He doesn't know enough.”
“He knew you called him.”
Nathan’s grip tightened.
Grace whispered, “Daniel.”
“I know.”
Nathan looked toward the tapes.
“Those records destroy Mercer Global.”
Daniel glanced down.
“Maybe.”
“Everything you built.”
“Maybe.”
“Your stock will collapse.”
“Probably.”
“You'll lose billions.”
Daniel looked at Grace.
Then back at Nathan.
“Still not worth killing someone over.”
Nathan laughed.
“You sound like Evelyn.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
Nathan’s face twisted.
“She destroyed everything.”
“No.”
Grace stepped out from behind Daniel.
“Men like you destroy things, then blame the person who notices.”
Nathan pointed the gun at her.
Daniel moved.
“Don't.”
Nathan smiled.
“You care about her.”
Daniel said nothing.
That was answer enough.
Nathan turned toward Grace.
“Do you know why Maria really left?”
Grace’s face tightened.
“Because Alexander threatened me.”
“No.”
Nathan’s smile grew.
“Because Maria saw your mother die.”
Daniel froze.
Grace looked at him.
“What?”
Nathan continued.
“Evelyn didn't die in her bedroom.”
Daniel’s breathing stopped.
“She died here.”
Nathan pointed toward the floor.
“This room.”
Daniel looked down.
The old wood beneath his shoes.
“No.”
“Alexander overdosed her. Your father arrived afterward.”
Grace whispered, “And Maria?”
“Maria watched from behind that door.”
Daniel’s stomach turned.
Nathan laughed softly.
“Your father told Maria he would take Grace from her if she talked.”
Grace covered her mouth.
Daniel felt rage building.
“My father threatened a pregnant woman.”
“Yes.”
Nathan looked almost proud.
“And Robert Bennett helped bury Evelyn.”
Daniel spun toward Grace.
Her eyes widened.
Nathan enjoyed every second.
“Your new little family is built entirely from liars.”
Then lights flashed outside.
Nathan cursed.
Daniel’s security had arrived.
Nathan grabbed Grace.
His arm locked around her throat.
The gun pressed against her head.
Daniel stopped.
“Let her go.”
“Drop the weapon.”
Daniel did.
Nathan backed toward the rear door.
Grace’s eyes met Daniel’s.
Calm.
Too calm.
Daniel knew that look.
She was about to do something reckless.
“Grace.”
Nathan tightened his grip.
“Don't.”
Grace slammed her heel into Nathan’s foot.
Then drove her head backward.
Nathan shouted.
The gun moved.
Daniel lunged.
A shot exploded.
Grace fell.
Daniel’s world ended.
“GRACE!”
He hit Nathan hard enough to send both men through a table.
Security stormed the room.
Nathan was dragged away.
Daniel crawled toward Grace.
Blood stained her sleeve.
“Grace.”
She opened one eye.
“You look worse than Lucy when she cries.”
Daniel nearly collapsed.
“Where are you hit?”
“Arm.”
He ripped the sleeve.
The bullet had grazed her upper arm.
“You're okay.”
“I was okay until you tore my uniform.”
He stared at her.
Then laughed.
A broken, relieved sound.
Grace looked at him.
Something passed between them.
Something neither was ready to name.
Then Daniel noticed a final envelope beneath the desk.
His name was written on it.
Daniel Mercer.
May you like
Not in Evelyn’s handwriting.
In his father's.
