Chapter 14 - Lauren's Brother
Chase was supposed to be broke.
For three years, Lauren had described her brother as a failed developer living in Arizona and trying to rebuild his life.
The photograph was six months old.
It had been taken at a private golf club outside Chicago.
Jared found another picture in the box.
Chase with Martin.
Another.
Chase with Evelyn.
Then a printed email.
Blue Acre is clean. J will never connect it to us.
Lauren read it twice.
“My mother told me Chase had nothing to do with North Harbor.”
Oscar said, “Your mother told you what kept you useful.”
The words hurt her.
He did not soften them.
Lauren had lied to Jared, hidden debt, and continued sending money after she knew Oscar’s identity had been used. She was both participant and victim, and Oscar refused to pretend those were mutually exclusive.
Jared called Chase.
To everyone’s surprise, he answered.
“Hey, man.”
“Where are you?” Jared asked.
A pause.
“Phoenix.”
Oscar held up his phone. The photograph’s metadata showed it had been taken in Lake Forest.
Jared said, “Interesting. Because I’m looking at a picture of you in Illinois with Martin Vale.”
Silence.
Then Chase laughed softly.
“Lauren finally broke.”
Lauren grabbed the phone. “Where is Mom?”
“Safe.”
“What did you do?”
“Me? I’m the only one who tried to keep everyone afloat.”
“You used Oscar’s identity.”
“I didn’t forge anything.”
“You took the money.”
“I moved money.”
Oscar leaned toward the speaker. “Where?”
Chase went quiet.
Oscar said, “Blue Acre Holdings.”
A second of silence.
Then Chase’s tone changed.
“Who told you about Blue Acre?”
Oscar smiled grimly. “You just did.”
Chase hung up.
Jared stared at his father.
Oscar pointed to the storage unit security camera.
“Get the facility manager. We need to know who accessed this unit recently.”
The manager reviewed the access log.
Evelyn had entered that morning at 8:11.
Martin had entered at 9:03.
And someone using Chase Mercer’s code had entered at 9:47.
The camera showed Chase leaving with a black duffel bag.
Timestamp: 10:02 a.m.
Jared checked the clock.
It was 6:14 p.m.
May you like
Chase was not in Phoenix.
He was still in Chicago.
