Chapter 12 - THE BEST FRIEND
Daniel Mercer had been beside Richard at his wedding.
At Caroline’s funeral.
At Arthur’s funeral.
At Sophie’s birth.
He was Sophie’s godfather.
And according to Caroline, he had been secretly meeting Vanessa for months.
Richard called Daniel.
No answer.
He drove to Sterling Tower with Detective Brooks.
Daniel’s office was empty.
Computer gone.
Files shredded.
“Running,” Brooks said.
Richard stared at the photographs on Daniel’s shelf.
One showed the two of them at age fifteen.
Brothers in everything but blood.
Richard picked it up.
“Why?”
Brooks found the answer inside Daniel’s private safe.
Bank transfers.
Millions routed through shell companies.
Daniel had been stealing from Sterling Industries while Arthur operated in hiding.
Vanessa discovered it.
Daniel paid her to stay quiet.
Then he used her access to Sterling House to monitor Sophie and Richard.
Vanessa had been trapped between Caroline, Arthur, and Daniel.
But none of that excused what she did to Sophie.
Richard understood that clearly now.
Pain explained behavior.
It did not erase responsibility.
His phone rang.
Daniel.
Richard answered.
“Where are you?”
Daniel laughed.
“You finally caught up.”
“Why, Dan?”
“Because I spent twenty-five years standing beside you while everyone called you brilliant.”
“We built this company together.”
“No. I built half of it. You inherited the name.”
“You kidnapped Sophie?”
“No.”
“Did you know Arthur would?”
Silence.
That was enough.
Richard closed his eyes.
“You knew.”
“I knew he wanted leverage.”
“She’s six.”
“And she’s fine.”
Richard’s voice became dangerously quiet.
“Never say that to me again.”
Daniel sighed.
“You want the rest of Haven?”
Richard looked at Brooks.
“What rest?”
“Arthur kept a second archive.”
“Where?”
Daniel laughed.
“Ask Caroline.”
Richard turned slowly.
Caroline had just entered the office.
Her face drained of color.
Daniel continued through the phone.
“She knows exactly where it is.”
Richard stared at his wife.
May you like
“Caroline?”
She whispered, “There’s something I didn’t tell you.”
