Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Woke Up
Martin Shaw met Daniel in the hospital cafeteria twenty minutes later.
He looked as if he had dressed while running—tie crooked, hair damp from rain, legal pad tucked under one arm.
“I got a voicemail from your mother at 4:13 this afternoon,” he said.
Daniel checked the clock. Margaret had fallen at 4:26.
Thirteen minutes.
“What did she say?”
Martin lowered his voice. “She said she had proof someone had been moving trust assets without authorization. She was coming to my office tonight.”
“Someone?”
“She didn’t name Olivia. But she said, ‘Daniel will not believe me unless I bring him the original documents.’”
Daniel put the brass key on the table.
Martin stared at the tag. “Box 317.”
“You know it?”
“I opened it with your mother six years ago. Joint estate archive. Originals only.”
Daniel’s stomach tightened. “Why would Olivia want it?”
“If the copies in your envelope are real, the originals may prove fraud.”
A nurse appeared at the cafeteria entrance.
“Mr. Mercer?”
Daniel jumped up.
“Your mother is awake.”
He ran.
Margaret looked impossibly small beneath the hospital blankets. A bruise darkened one side of her forehead. Her eyes were open, but unfocused.
“Mom.”
She moved her fingers.
Daniel took her hand. “I’m here.”
Her lips parted.
At first, he heard only air.
Then one word.
“Ethan?”
“He’s safe.”
Margaret’s eyes closed in relief.
“Mom, Ethan saw what happened.”
Her grip tightened weakly.
“He told me Olivia pushed you.”
A tear slipped from Margaret’s eye.
Daniel leaned closer. “Why?”
Margaret struggled for breath.
“Not… just… money.”
“What else?”
Her gaze found his.
“Caleb.”
Daniel went cold.
“Who is Caleb Ross?”
Margaret’s mouth trembled.
“Ask… your wife… about Phoenix.”
The heart monitor suddenly began chirping faster.
A nurse stepped in. “Sir, I need you to move back.”
Margaret became agitated.
“Mom?”
She grabbed Daniel’s wrist with surprising strength.
“Daniel.”
“I’m here.”
“Don’t trust—”
Her words vanished beneath an alarm.
Doctors rushed into the room.
Daniel was pushed into the hallway as the door swung shut.
He stood there, staring through the glass.
Then his phone buzzed.
May you like
A text from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
STOP DIGGING INTO PHOENIX IF YOU WANT YOUR SON TO STAY SAFE.
