Chapter 4 - THE LEDGER
“What ledger?”
My father laughed softly.
“The one that can destroy everything.”
“What does it contain?”
“Names.”
“Whose names?”
“Everyone who mattered.”
I glanced at Clara.
She had fallen asleep from the medication.
My father continued.
“Politicians.”
“Judges.”
“Police commanders.”
“Businessmen.”
“People who believe they're untouchable.”
I clenched my fist.
“And you?”
“I am at the top.”
I almost laughed.
“You're admitting this?”
“I’m giving you a choice.”
“What choice?”
“Bring Clara to me.”
“No.”
“Then more people will die.”
I hung up.
Marcus looked at me.
“What did he say?”
I told him.
Marcus's face hardened.
“Do you believe him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because my father never threatened people without already having a plan.”
Marcus nodded.
“What do we do?”
I looked through the ICU window.
“We make sure he realizes that plan no longer belongs to him.”
The following morning, every Mercer company faced an investigation.
Federal agents entered their headquarters.
Bank accounts froze.
Licenses disappeared.
Contracts were suspended.
The city's political machine went silent.
Thomas panicked.
He begged judges.
No one answered.
He called police commanders.
They refused.
He called senators.
They blocked his number.
His eight sons began turning on one another.
By evening, two were cooperating with federal investigators.
Then another called me.
“Mr. Carter.”
It was Daniel, Thomas's oldest son.
“I know who ordered the attack.”
I said nothing.
He continued.
“It wasn't my father.”
“Who?”
“My grandfather.”
My heart tightened.
“Richard Carter.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your wife found out what happened to your mother.”
I froze.
“My mother?”
Daniel whispered:
May you like
“She's alive too.”
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