Chapter 11 - The General's FileCharles Brooks finally enters the courtroomElena placed the document before the judge.
“This is not a financial record.”
The judge looked at it.
“What is it?”
“A federal authorization connected to General Charles Brooks.”
Dominic's attorney stood.
“Your Honor, I object.”
“On what grounds?”
“This has no relevance.”
Elena replied:
“It establishes that the defendant deliberately targeted a protected federal family relationship.”
The judge frowned.
“Explain.”
Elena opened the file.
Dominic had attempted to obtain private information about Dad through a former government contractor.
The request included personal details.
Travel patterns.
Associations.
Financial records.
The document also contained false statements.
Dominic had claimed he was acting as my spouse with my authorization.
I looked at him.
“You told them I approved this?”
He didn't answer.
Elena continued.
The contractor had refused.
Then Dominic had approached Mercer.
Mercer accepted.
And Mercer had ties to people who had previously been investigated for attempting to access restricted information.
The courtroom changed.
This was no longer a divorce about an unfaithful husband.
It was a case about organized financial manipulation.
The judge ordered additional investigation.
Dominic was required to surrender devices.
His companies were placed under expanded scrutiny.
And Victoria's attorney contacted Elena.
“She wants immunity.”
I almost laughed.
“From what?”
“She says she can identify Mercer.”
Dad looked at me.
“Let her.”
Victoria arrived the next afternoon.
She sat across from me.
Without sunglasses.
Without designer confidence.
Just an exhausted older woman.
“I never thought it would go this far.”
“It went this far because you made it go this far.”
She looked down.
“I thought Dominic would become successful.”
“That was worth ruining my life?”
“No.”
“But you did it anyway.”
Victoria began crying.
I didn't.
She explained.
Dominic had massive debts before we met.
He owed private lenders.
Investors.
Business partners.
He was desperate.
Mercer offered help.
He told Dominic that marrying me would solve everything.
Victoria believed it.
Until later.
“Later when?”
“When I realized Mercer wasn't interested in money alone.”
“What did he want?”
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Dad watched her closely.
“He wanted information.”
Victoria nodded.
“About me?”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“About you.”
Dad's expression didn't change.
Then Victoria said the name that made the room go cold.
“Operation Meridian.”
Dad stood immediately.
“You know that name?”
Victoria began crying again.
“Mercer mentioned it.”
“What is it?”
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Dad looked at me.
Then he told Elena:
“Close the door.”
Everyone left except us.
Dad sat opposite me.
“Operation Meridian was something I encountered years ago.”
“Military?”
“Part military.”
“What happened?”
“We discovered a network stealing sensitive strategic information.”
“Did you stop them?”
“We dismantled part of it.”
“Part?”
Dad looked down.
“Some people disappeared.”
I swallowed.
“And Mercer?”
“He may have survived.”
Silence.
Then Elena rushed back into the room.
“We found him.”
Dad looked up.
“Where?”
“Newark airport.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Arrested?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Elena's face was pale.
“He bought a ticket under Dominic's name.”
I stared at her.
“Why would Mercer use Dominic's name?”
Elena looked at me.
“Because Dominic is planning to leave the country.”
I felt cold.
“Where?”
She placed the ticket on the table.
“Switzerland.”
Dad stood.
“When?”
“Tonight.”
He looked at me.
“I'll handle it.”
But before he could move, my phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
You're looking for Mercer.
Wrong man.
Then another message.
May you like
He's already inside your house.
End of Chapter 11Someone had entered the apartment while Audrey was still in court.
Related Stories
