Chapter 8: Hannah’s Husband
“You’re married?””
The question sounded ridiculous the second it left my mouth.
Of course Hannah could be married.
But nothing about tonight felt ordinary anymore.
She nodded.
“His name is David Mercer.””
Samuel spoke through the phone.
“The second transfer went to Mercer Strategic Holdings.””
Hannah sat down slowly.
“No.””
“You know the company?”” I asked.
“I helped name it.””
Mom stared at her.
“What does your husband do?””
“Commercial real estate consulting.””
My stomach tightened.
“Does he know Gregory Vale?””
Hannah didn’t answer.
“Hannah.””
“Yes.””
Lauren’s betrayal had been devastating.
But now I wondered whether we had opened our door to another one.
“How well?””
Hannah looked sick.
“They worked together years ago.””
I stepped away from her.
“You should have told us.””
“I didn’t know David was involved.””
“You brought evidence against Lauren but forgot to mention your husband has connections to the developer?””
“I didn’t forget.””
“Then what?””
“I was ashamed.””
“Tonight is not the night for partial truths.””
She nodded.
“You’re right.””
Mom reached for Hannah’s hand.
I almost stopped her.
But Mom said, “Tell us everything.””
Hannah stared at their joined hands.
“My marriage has been falling apart for a year.””
Her voice shook.
“David became obsessed with expanding his company. Bigger clients. Bigger deals. Bigger houses.””
She gave a humorless smile.
“He used to say he wanted enough money that nobody could ever look down on him again.””
I knew that hunger.
I had just watched it destroy my wife.
“When Lauren contacted me,” Hannah continued, “I told David.””
“What did he say?””
“He told me to take the fifty thousand.””
Mom frowned.
“Why?””
“He said an old family letter wasn’t worth fighting over.””
“And then?””
“Then he started asking questions.””
“What kind?””
“Where the land was. How large it was. Whether Evelyn had signed anything.””
Hannah closed her eyes.
“I should have understood.””
I sat opposite her.
“When did you realize something was wrong?””
“Two weeks ago. I found emails between David and Gregory.””
“What did they say?””
“Mostly coded business language. Acquisition schedules. Transfer vehicles. Contingencies.””
Samuel interrupted.
“Hannah, do you still have those emails?””
“I forwarded copies to a private account.””
“Good.””
I looked at her.
“Why come here tonight?””
“Because David disappeared this afternoon.””
Mom tightened her grip on Hannah’s hand.
“Disappeared?””
“He packed a suitcase. Said he had meetings in Chicago.””
“But you didn’t believe him.””
“No. I checked our shared business calendar.””
She looked at me.
“He was meeting Gregory.””
My jaw tightened.
“Where?””
“A hotel near the airport.””
“Did you go?””
“Yes.””
“And?””
“I saw Lauren leaving.””
The room became very still.
Lauren.
David.
Gregory.
All connected.
“Did Lauren see you?””
“I don’t think so.””
“What happened after she left?””
“I confronted David.””
Hannah swallowed.
“He told me I had no idea what I was interfering with.””
“What did you say?””
“I told him I would call Evelyn.””
“And he let you leave?””
“He laughed.””
That bothered me.
“Why?””
“Because he said we were already too late.””
Samuel spoke sharply.
“Hannah, send me everything you have immediately.””
She nodded.
Then Samuel said something none of us wanted to hear.
“I’m also calling the authorities.””
Mom stiffened.
“Police?””
“And the county fraud unit. Possibly the state attorney’s office depending on what these filings show.””
I looked toward the door Lauren had walked through.
Part of me still expected her to return.
To knock.
To tell me this was all some monstrous misunderstanding.
But another part finally understood there was no explanation that could restore what she had broken.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Lauren.
I read it.
CALL ME BEFORE YOU TRUST HANNAH.
Another arrived.
ASK HER WHY HER HUSBAND HAS POWER OF ATTORNEY.
I looked up.
“Hannah.””
She saw my face.
“What?””
“Does David have power of attorney for you?””
Her expression changed.
Mom released her hand.
“Yes,” Hannah whispered.
“Why?””
“I gave it to him two years ago when I had surgery.””
“Is it still active?””
“I thought it expired.””
Samuel cut in.
“Power of attorney usually doesn’t simply expire unless the document says it does.””
Hannah went pale.
“What could he do with it?””
“That depends on the language.””
She grabbed her phone.
“I have a copy.””
She searched frantically.
A minute later, she found it and emailed it to Samuel.
We waited.
The longest sixty seconds of my life.
Then Samuel sighed.
“This grants David broad authority over financial claims, property interests, settlements, and inherited assets.””
Hannah stood.
“But I didn’t own the land.””
“No,” Samuel said.
“But if someone established you as a beneficiary under Thomas’s instruction…”
“He could act for me.””
“Possibly.””
Mom whispered, “Could he sign away her half?””
Samuel paused.
“Yes.””
Hannah looked like she might collapse.
I caught her elbow.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Michael Carter?””
“Yes.””
A man’s voice.
Calm.
Professional.
“Mr. Carter, my name is Detective Aaron Mills. Samuel Price just contacted our office.””
I glanced at Mom.
“That was fast.””
“He used the emergency fraud line.””
“What do you need?””
“First, I need everyone to preserve every document and communication.””
“We will.””
“Second, nobody should contact Gregory Vale or David Mercer.””
I looked at Hannah.
“Understood.””
The detective paused.
“And Mr. Carter?””
“Yes?””
“We’ve already received another complaint involving Vale Development.””
My pulse quickened.
“Another landowner?””
“No.””
Paper rustled on his end.
“The complaint was filed three months ago by your wife.””
I stared at the wall.
“Lauren?””
“Yes.””
“What did she accuse Gregory of?””
May you like
The detective’s answer turned everything upside down again.
“Blackmail.””
