Chapter 6 - The Truth Behind Daniel Mercer
By sunrise, the story had begun collapsing.
Wade talked first.
Then Eric.
Then Noah.
Each blamed someone else.
Detective Cole returned to Evelyn's room shortly after six.
“We found the chain.”
Daniel stood beside the window.
“Fingerprints?”
“We'll know soon.”
Evelyn asked, “And the fire?”
“Investigators found an accelerant in the barn.”
Daniel looked at Cole.
“Deliberate?”
“Almost certainly.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Cole continued.
“Your cousin Wade claims the plan was intimidation. He says Lorraine wanted you frightened enough to transfer the land.”
“My mother planned it?”
“He says she authorized the confrontation.”
“And the fire?”
“He's blaming Caleb.”
Daniel almost smiled.
“Of course.”
Cole looked at him.
“Mr. Mercer, I also need to discuss what happened after you arrived.”
Evelyn looked at Daniel.
“What did he do?”
Cole raised an eyebrow.
“Several companies connected to your relatives experienced an unusually bad night.”
Evelyn sighed.
“Daniel.”
“I didn't break any laws.”
Cole looked unconvinced.
Gabriel appeared at the doorway.
“He didn't.”
Cole turned.
“And you are?”
“His attorney for the next five minutes.”
Daniel frowned.
“You're not an attorney.”
Gabriel shrugged.
“I have attorneys.”
Even Evelyn laughed softly.
Cole fought a smile.
“Mr. Shaw, purchasing legitimate debt isn't illegal.”
“Correct.”
“Neither is acquiring commercial property.”
“Correct again.”
“But interfering with witnesses would be.”
Gabriel's expression became serious.
“Then you'll be pleased to know nobody has contacted a witness regarding testimony.”
Cole looked at Daniel.
“Keep it that way.”
“I will.”
After she left, Evelyn stared at Gabriel.
“You got older.”
Gabriel smiled.
“You didn't.”
“Liar.”
“Professional diplomacy.”
Evelyn looked between the men.
“Gabriel.”
“Yes?”
“Put everything back.”
Gabriel looked at Daniel.
Daniel nodded.
“Anything legally acquired last night that can be reversed without harming innocent employees, reverse it.”
Gabriel blinked.
“All of it?”
“The point was made.”
“What about Lorraine?”
Daniel looked at Evelyn.
“She faces whatever the courts decide.”
Evelyn squeezed his hand.
Gabriel nodded.
“Understood.”
He turned to leave.
“Gabriel.”
He stopped.
Daniel extended his hand.
“Thank you.”
Gabriel looked at it.
Then at Daniel.
“You don't owe me thanks.”
“Yes, I do.”
Gabriel shook his hand.
“Then don't disappear for another four years.”
Daniel smiled faintly.
“I'll call.”
“You always say that.”
When Gabriel left, Evelyn watched Daniel carefully.
“You're really done?”
“With that world?”
“Yes.”
Daniel sat beside her.
“I thought power meant making people afraid of what I could do.”
“And now?”
“Now I think it's having the ability to destroy someone and choosing a courtroom instead.”
Evelyn rested her head back.
“Rose would've liked you.”
Daniel's expression broke.
Evelyn reached for him.
“She would've had your stubbornness.”
“No chance.”
“Absolutely.”
“And your terrible gardening skills.”
“That was one summer.”
“You killed basil.”
“It was weak basil.”
She laughed through her tears.
For the first time since the hospital called, Daniel felt something besides anger.
Not happiness.
May you like
Not yet.
But the possibility that happiness could exist again.
