Chapter 14 - MARGARET’S SECRET ACCOUNT
Brandon’s cooperation led investigators to a safe-deposit box.
Inside were diamonds.
Cash.
Bearer bonds.
Two passports under Margaret’s photograph with different names.
And documents relating to my father.
One envelope contained laboratory reports.
Blood samples.
Medication concentrations.
Dates.
Dr. Mercer had monitored Dad before he died.
The federal prosecutor visited me personally.
“We believe Margaret was preparing to argue that any toxicology findings were caused by medical treatment.”
I felt sick.
“So she planned for an autopsy?”
“Possibly.”
“Then why wasn’t there one?”
The prosecutor looked toward Mason.
“Because Dr. Mercer signed the death certificate quickly.”
Another piece.
Another betrayal.
Then they found the account.
Eight million dollars in Luxembourg.
Account holder.
Blue Harbor International.
The name from Dad’s missing folder.
Margaret had stolen his investigation name and turned it into a shell company.
Cruelty as camouflage.
The account contained money from foundation grants.
Trust investments.
And one payment made two days after Dad died.
Three hundred thousand dollars.
Recipient.
Andrew Mercer.
The doctor.
The prosecutor did not call it murder yet.
Law moves slower than grief.
But I knew what I believed.
Margaret’s attorney requested a meeting.
She wanted to negotiate.
My attorney asked whether I wanted to attend.
“Yes.”
Margaret entered the conference room in a jail-issued uniform.
For the first time since I had known her, she had no jewelry.
No tailored jacket.
No perfume.
She looked smaller.
Not weaker.
Just stripped of decoration.
She sat across from me.
“You survived.”
I stared at her.
“You noticed.”
She smiled faintly.
“You always had your father’s mouth.”
“And you always hated him.”
Her smile disappeared.
“He underestimated me.”
“No.”
I leaned forward.
“He trusted you.”
“That was his mistake.”
I looked at her.
“Did you kill him?”
Her attorney moved.
“Margaret, do not answer.”
Margaret ignored him.
She stared at me.
“Your father was going to destroy everything.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“He thought morality was simple.”
“Did you kill him?”
Her eyes hardened.
Then she said.
“I protected my family.”
My attorney touched my arm.
I stood.
Margaret watched me.
“You think Brandon will choose you now?”
I almost laughed.
“There is no Brandon and me.”
That seemed to surprise her.
I continued.
“You built your entire life around controlling a son who was too weak to tell you no.”
Margaret’s face changed.
“And now he’s testifying against you.”
That landed.
I walked toward the door.
Behind me, Margaret said.
“You still don’t know everything.”
I stopped.
I turned.
May you like
She smiled.
“Ask your father’s lawyer what was supposed to happen on Monday.”
