Chapter 12 - The Man Above Victor Cross
Anna’s father was Senator Charles Mercer.
Rafe’s uncle.
One of the most respected politicians in Illinois.
And the original architect of the Cradle Ledger.
Victor had been his partner.
The criminal.
Mercer had been the respectable face.
Anna had spent years protecting her father because he threatened Rose.
But after learning Rose was mine, something changed.
She lowered the gun.
“I can’t do it anymore.”
Stellan stared at her.
“Then help us.”
She gave us everything.
Recordings.
Bank accounts.
Names.
A private meeting scheduled at Mercer’s estate.
He planned to flee the country.
But he wanted one thing first.
Lily.
She knew too much.
Cassandra refused to hide again.
“We finish it.”
The plan was simple.
And therefore terrifying.
Anna would pretend she still obeyed her father.
She would bring Lily.
Federal agents would wait nearby.
But Mercer anticipated us.
When we arrived, the estate was empty.
Except for a phone.
It rang.
Stellan answered.
Mercer laughed.
“You really are Victor’s son.”
Stellan’s face darkened.
“Where are they?”
A video appeared.
Cassandra.
Lily.
Marisol.
All bound inside an unknown room.
Mercer had taken them before our operation even began.
Then he showed another camera.
Fern and Rose.
My heart stopped.
Their safe house.
Compromised.
Mercer smiled into the camera.
“Every generation thinks it can escape the sins of the previous one.”
Stellan looked at me.
I had never been more afraid.
Then I noticed something behind Mercer.
A clock.
And through a window, a bridge.
I knew that bridge.
“My father took me there.”
Stellan turned.
“What?”
“The old river terminal.”
Mercer heard me.
His smile disappeared.
May you like
I smiled back.
“Found you.”
