Chapter 10 - THE ACCIDENT FILE
Daniel’s collision had happened on Interstate 71 during heavy rain.
A tractor-trailer changed lanes.
Daniel’s SUV lost control.
The police report had classified it as an accident.
That should have reassured me.
It did not.
Marcus obtained the complete report through Daniel’s estate file.
There was no evidence Richard had caused the crash.
No mysterious vehicle.
No suspicious phone calls.
No mechanical tampering.
Nothing.
For several minutes, I felt almost relieved.
Then Margaret found something else.
“Emily.”
“What?”
“Daniel was traveling south.”
“I know.”
“Do you know where he was going?”
“Cincinnati.”
“Why?”
I shook my head.
Margaret turned the laptop toward me.
Daniel had a calendar appointment that morning.
10:30 A.M.
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Cincinnati Field Office.
My heart dropped.
Marcus read the entry twice.
“He was meeting federal investigators.”
“About Richard?”
“We don’t know.”
A note was attached.
Bring Hale-Mercer financial files.
I stared at the screen.
“Yes, we do.”
The pieces were beginning to connect.
Not into murder.
Not into some dramatic conspiracy.
Something simpler.
Daniel had discovered financial crimes.
He planned to report them.
He died before he reached the meeting.
Richard learned Daniel was dead.
And instead of mourning him, he saw an opportunity.
Margaret contacted the investigators listed in Daniel’s calendar.
By that afternoon, two federal agents arrived.
They did not tell us much.
They did tell us enough.
Daniel had previously made preliminary contact.
He had reported suspected wire fraud, false corporate guarantees, and movement of company funds through private entities.
The investigation had not disappeared when Daniel died.
It had simply slowed.
Now it was moving again.
Agent Morris looked at me.
“Mrs. Mercer, the documents on the drive may be relevant.”
“You can have copies.”
Margaret nodded approvingly.
Morris continued.
“Your father should not be informed of this conversation.”
I gave a tired smile.
“I’m not planning family dinner.”
After they left, Marcus checked his phone.
His face changed.
“What now?”
“The board meeting was moved.”
“To when?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
My heart started pounding.
“He knows.”
Marcus nodded.
“Richard knows he’s running out of time.”
I looked toward the nursery camera.
Grace was sleeping peacefully.
I thought about Daniel’s recorded message.
Do not give him anything.
May you like
I turned to Marcus.
“Then tomorrow we stop him.”
