Chapter 4 - The Lawyer at the Gate
Daniel Pike was Ethan's family attorney.
He had handled Anna's estate.
He had drafted Ethan's marriage agreement with Vivian.
He had also been at Lily's christening.
At 6:10 the next morning, Daniel arrived at the Mercer estate without being invited.
Marcus stopped him at the gate.
Ethan watched through the security feed.
Daniel held up a leather folder.
"Tell Ethan this can't wait."
Ethan let him in.
Not because he trusted him.
Because he wanted to hear the lie.
Daniel entered the library and immediately saw the police evidence bags on the table.
His face barely moved.
Too barely.
"Vivian called me," he said.
"Of course she did."
"She's frightened."
"So is my daughter."
Daniel sighed. "Ethan, domestic situations get distorted quickly. You need to think before you turn a marriage problem into a criminal matter."
Ethan placed the recorder on the table.
"Play it."
Daniel looked at it.
"What is that?"
"You tell me."
Ethan pressed the button.
The man's voice played again.
Once the guardianship evaluation is complete, he won't be able to stop us.
Daniel's color changed.
Only slightly.
Enough.
"That's not me."
"I haven't said it was."
Daniel went silent.
Ethan leaned forward.
"Why did you assume I thought it was you?"
Daniel closed his eyes.
A mistake.
A small one.
But Ethan had built a billion-dollar software company by noticing small mistakes.
"What guardianship evaluation?"
Daniel stood. "I think this conversation should continue with counsel present."
"You are my counsel."
"Not anymore."
He walked toward the door.
Marcus blocked him.
Ethan did not.
"Let him go."
Daniel left quickly.
Five minutes later, Ethan received an email from Pike & Rowe.
Formal notice of withdrawal.
Attached was a document Ethan had never seen.
PETITION FOR CONTINGENT GUARDIANSHIP OF LILY ANNE MERCER.
It had been drafted four months earlier.
The proposed guardian was Vivian Mercer.
The supporting declaration stated that Ethan suffered from chronic grief, work-related instability, and possible prescription dependency.
Ethan stared at the page.
He had never abused prescription medication.
Then he saw the exhibit list.
Exhibit C: Pharmacy records.
Exhibit D: Witness statement from Marcus Reed.
Ethan turned slowly toward his security chief.
Marcus looked just as shocked.
"I never signed anything," he said.
Ethan opened Exhibit D.
At the bottom was Marcus's signature.
Perfect.
Forged.
May you like
Then Marcus whispered:
"If they forged mine, how many of yours did they forge?"
