Chapter 11 - The Name on the LedgerPanic spread through the basement.
Harris ordered everyone to stay down.
Michael rushed toward the stairs.
Valerie grabbed Thomas.
"Don't move."
Nick was already searching the floor.
"What are you doing?"
"The case."
"It's gone."
Nick shook his head.
"No."
He pointed.
A corner of the envelope remained beneath the locker.
Thomas picked it up.
Inside was a single page.
One line.
ACCOUNT OWNER: VALERIE MERCER.
Valerie stared.
"What does that mean?"
Michael looked horrified.
"It means your identity was used."
"For what?"
"Money laundering."
Valerie shook her head.
"I don't understand."
Michael explained.
"Daniel didn't steal your money."
Valerie blinked.
"What?"
"He redirected illegal money through your company."
"Without me knowing?"
"Yes."
"And then?"
"Then he planned to make it look like you were responsible."
Valerie felt sick.
"So I would go to prison."
Michael nodded.
"And he would disappear."
Thomas looked at his mother.
"That's why Dad wanted me gone."
"Yes."
"Because I could tell people."
"Exactly."
Thomas's eyes filled with tears.
Valerie pulled him into her arms.
Then Nick spoke.
"There is one more thing."
Everyone turned.
Nick held a photograph.
It showed Daniel standing beside a man.
The man was older.
Gray hair.
Black coat.
Valerie stared.
"Who is that?"
Michael's face went white.
"You don't know him?"
"No."
Michael whispered the name.
"Richard Vale."
Harris stared.
"The banker?"
Michael nodded.
"He's the man behind everything."
Valerie remembered the name.
Richard Vale had been one of the largest clients of her company for years.
She had met him once.
At a charity dinner.
He had shaken her hand.
Congratulated her on her growth.
And smiled.
Now she understood.
Her company had been the perfect mask.
Claire had worked for him.
Daniel had worked for him.
Others had worked for him.
Michael had discovered it.
Nick's father had discovered it.
And both men had nearly paid with their lives.
Harris looked at the photograph.
"Where is Vale now?"
Michael answered.
"Probably watching us."
Valerie's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
Richard Vale spoke.
"Mrs. Mercer."
Valerie froze.
"You know who I am."
"I know everything about you."
"What do you want?"
"A trade."
"For what?"
"Thomas."
Valerie's heart stopped.
Michael grabbed the phone.
But Vale continued.
"Bring the boy to the river warehouse tonight."
Michael shouted,
"Don't listen to him."
Vale laughed.
"You still haven't learned, Michael."
Then his voice became colder.
"Bring Thomas."
The call ended.
Thomas stared at Valerie.
"I'm not going."
Valerie hugged him.
"You don't have to."
But Nick stepped forward.
"I think we should go."
Everyone looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because he wants Thomas."
Nick swallowed.
"So we give him someone else."
Valerie frowned.
"Who?"
Nick looked toward Michael.
"Me."
Michael's eyes widened.
"No."
Nick shook his head.
"He thinks I'm the witness."
Thomas grabbed Nick's arm.
"You can't."
Nick looked at him.
"You saved me."
Thomas shook his head.
"I didn't do anything."
"You gave me a reason to come back."
Nick smiled sadly.
"Now let me return the favor."
Valerie realized what Nick was planning.
May you like
And she knew that if they allowed it...
Nick might never come home.
