Chapter 4 - THE LETTER FROM THE DEAD
Special Agent Daniel Mercer entered the hospital room carrying a sealed evidence bag.
Inside was Charles Hartwell’s letter.
Rosa had removed it from the penthouse library before the police arrived.
“She should not have taken it,” Ethan said.
Mercer placed the bag on the table.
“She believed your mother would destroy it.”
“She was probably right.”
Detective Quinn stood beside him.
“Mrs. Hartwell’s attorney has already requested access to the penthouse.”
“We denied it until the search warrant is complete.”
Ethan looked at the letter through the plastic.
“Have you verified the handwriting?”
“Preliminary comparison suggests it is authentic.”
Mercer opened a file.
“Your father contacted a federal prosecutor eleven days before his death.”
“He claimed Hartwell Global was being used to move money through charitable construction projects.”
Ethan frowned.
“My father ran the company.”
“He suspected your mother and three executives were diverting funds.”
“Why was I never told?”
“The prosecutor died in a car accident before the meeting occurred.”
Ethan looked at Olivia.
Mercer continued.
“Your father’s death closed the inquiry.”
“Your mother assumed control.”
“The executives he named were promoted.”
One of them was Arthur Voss, Hartwell Global’s current chief financial officer.
Another was Dr. Samuel Keene, the family physician who declared Charles mentally incompetent.
The third was Victoria’s younger brother, Robert Vale.
Robert had disappeared seven years earlier after being accused of tax fraud.
Victoria claimed he fled to Switzerland.
Federal travel records showed no evidence that he had left the country.
“We believe Robert may be dead,” Mercer said.
“And we believe your mother knows where the body is.”
Ethan stared at him.
“You came to the hospital to tell me my mother may have killed my father and her brother?”
“I came because the attack on your wife connects directly to the trust investigation.”
Detective Quinn placed Rosa’s phone on the table.
“The recording does more than show attempted murder.”
“It captures Victoria saying something after the glass broke.”
Ethan frowned.
“I did not hear anything.”
“The wind covered it.”
“We enhanced the audio.”
Quinn played the final seconds.
The crash filled the room.
Then Victoria’s voice emerged faintly.
“I should have finished this before the child could inherit.”
Olivia’s hand moved protectively over her stomach.
Mercer continued.
“Your mother knew about the grandchild trust.”
“She also knew the trust becomes irrevocable when the child is born alive.”
“So she tried to kill them before the birth,” Ethan said.
Nobody answered.
The answer was obvious.
A monitor beside Olivia’s bed began beeping faster.
The baby’s heartbeat changed.
A nurse entered.
Then another.
“Mrs. Hartwell, we need you to turn onto your left side.”
Olivia’s face tightened with pain.
Ethan moved back while doctors crowded around her.
The contractions had returned.
The medication was no longer stopping them.
A doctor looked at Ethan.
“We may have to deliver tonight.”
Olivia was only thirty-four weeks pregnant.
The baby’s lungs might not be fully developed.
The trauma had already reduced oxygen flow.
Ethan held his wife’s hand.
“You are both going to survive.”
Olivia looked toward the letter.
“Then protect the trust.”
“Forget the trust.”
“No.”
Her voice sharpened.
“This is not about money.”
“It is proof she wanted our child dead.”
The doctor ordered Ethan out while the team prepared for emergency delivery.
As he stepped into the hallway, his phone rang.
Victoria’s name appeared on the screen.
He answered.
Her voice was calm.
“You still have time to correct your mistake.”
“My wife is in premature labor because you pushed her from a balcony.”
“She became hysterical.”
“She slipped.”
“I heard the recording.”
A pause followed.
Then Victoria lowered her voice.
“If that child is born tonight, you will start a war you cannot win.”
Ethan looked through the glass at Olivia.
“No.”
“You started it.”
He ended the call.
Across the hallway, Agent Mercer’s phone rang.
His expression changed as he listened.
“What happened?” Ethan asked.
Mercer lowered the phone.
“Your mother just left the penthouse.”
“She was not supposed to leave.”
“Someone inside the police department cleared the elevator.”
“Where is she going?”
May you like
Mercer looked toward the maternity doors.
“We believe she is coming here.”
