Chapter 10 - DANIEL COMES BACK
Michael's video lasted fourteen minutes.
He explained the scheme.
Margaret targeted wealthy or isolated individuals.
Warren manufactured diagnoses.
Families or spouses gained legal control.
Assets disappeared.
Michael had gathered enough evidence to expose them.
But he needed one final witness.
Robert Mercer.
Daniel's father.
Except Robert died before Michael could speak with him.
Michael suspected Margaret had killed him too.
Claire watched the video twice.
Lily watched only the first minute.
Then she left.
Claire found her outside beneath the treehouse.
“Hey.”
Lily looked up.
“Daddy knew bad people?”
“He was trying to stop them.”
“Is that why he died?”
Claire sat beside her.
“We don't know everything yet.”
“But probably.”
Claire couldn't lie.
“Probably.”
Lily began crying.
Claire held her.
“I miss him.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Every day.”
That night, police arrested Dr. Warren at a motel.
He broke within six hours.
Margaret had paid him for seventeen years.
He admitted falsifying Claire's records.
He admitted helping Daniel with Melissa.
He admitted signing paperwork for Rebecca.
But when detectives asked about Rebecca's death, Warren demanded a lawyer.
Then Daniel called Claire.
This time, she answered.
“Where are you?”
“Doesn't matter.”
“Police are looking for you.”
“I know.”
“Turn yourself in.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“You think my mother will let me?”
Claire frowned.
“You're a grown man.”
“You don't understand her.”
“I understand enough.”
“No.”
His voice changed.
For the first time, Daniel sounded afraid.
“Claire, she kills people.”
Claire went silent.
“She killed my father.”
“Then testify.”
“She'll kill me too.”
“Daniel, you drugged me.”
“I know.”
“You forged my signature.”
“I know.”
“You hurt Lily.”
Silence.
Claire's voice hardened.
“You don't get to become the victim now.”
“I never wanted you dead.”
“But you were going to lock me away.”
“I thought I could control it.”
“You were going to steal my daughter's inheritance.”
“I was trying to survive.”
Claire almost laughed.
“So was Lily.”
Daniel said nothing.
Then he whispered, “I have something Michael left behind.”
Claire froze.
“What?”
“Not over the phone.”
“Give it to police.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because my mother doesn't know I have it.”
Claire looked toward Torres.
The detective was tracing the call.
Daniel continued.
“Michael gave something to my father before he died.”
“What?”
“Evidence.”
“Where is it?”
“With me.”
“Daniel—”
“If you want the truth about Michael's death, meet me.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“No.”
Then Daniel said something that stopped her.
“Your husband knew me.”
Claire's blood went cold.
“What?”
May you like
“Before I ever met you.”
The line disconnected.
