Chapter 5: The Missing File
Richard put the phone on speaker.
Daniel Mercer’s voice came through, breathless and low.
“Richard, listen to me carefully.””
“I’m listening.””
“Is Claire with you?””
I stepped closer.
“Yes.””
Daniel went silent.
Then he said, “Good. Keep her there.””
My stomach tightened.
“Mr. Mercer,” I said, “what’s happening?””
“Claire, your father left instructions that if anything happened to him, I was to protect the trust until you were ready.””
“You knew about the trust?””
“I created it.””
My mother closed her eyes.
I felt something inside me crack.
“You knew Mom had the documents?””
Daniel hesitated.
“I knew she had access to them.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
“No,” he admitted.
“I didn't know she still had the original agreement.””
Mom whispered, “You promised.””
Daniel heard her.
His voice sharpened.
“Evelyn, you were never supposed to interfere.””
Emily looked at her mother.
“Mom?””
Mom said nothing.
Daniel continued.
“Claire, the trust wasn't just an inheritance.””
“What was it?””
“It was a safeguard.””
“For what?””
“For the company your father was building.””
Richard stepped closer.
“Daniel, stop speaking in riddles.””
“I can't. Not over the phone.””
“What happened to your office?”” Richard asked.
A long pause.
“They took the file.””
“What file?””
“The Hale file.””
Richard went still.
“What?””
“The original acquisition documents. Your father's private correspondence. Everything.””
My heart started pounding.
“My father had documents about Hale Industries?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Daniel inhaled.
“Because your father discovered financial fraud inside the company.””
Richard's face went pale.
“That’s impossible.””
“No,” Daniel said.
“It's why he bought controlling interests quietly.””
I looked at Richard.
“Your company was already in trouble.””
He nodded slowly.
“But Dad found out why.””
Daniel continued.
“He believed someone inside Hale Industries was moving money through shell companies.””
Richard's voice dropped.
“Who?””
“I don't know.””
“You represented my father.””
“And that's why I survived this long by keeping my mouth shut.””
A loud noise came through the phone.
Daniel cursed.
“What was that?”” I asked.
“Someone's downstairs.””
Richard straightened.
“Call the police.””
“I already did.””
Daniel’s breathing became faster.
“Claire, there's something you need to understand.””
“What?””
“The person who stole the file knew exactly what they were looking for.””
I glanced at my mother.
She looked terrified again.
Daniel said, “They also knew your father had a daughter.””
My throat tightened.
“What does that mean?””
“It means this isn't about money anymore.””
The call suddenly crackled.
Then Daniel shouted.
“Someone's here.””
The line went dead.
Emily grabbed my arm.
“Claire…”
I pulled away gently.
Richard looked at the ballroom.
“We're leaving.””
Mom immediately said, “Where?””
Richard stared at her.
“Somewhere secure.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because they won't stop.””
“Who won't stop?””
Mom's eyes filled with tears.
“I don't know.””
I stepped toward her.
“You've known for seven years.””
“I knew enough to be afraid.””
“For me?””
“For all of us.””
The ballroom doors opened behind us.
Guests spilled into the lobby, laughing and talking, unaware of what had just happened.
A waiter passed carrying another tray of champagne.
Everything looked normal.
That somehow made it worse.
Richard lowered his voice.
“Claire, do you have the original trust documents?””
I held them against my chest.
“Yes.””
“Then don't let them out of your hands.””
My phone buzzed.
I looked down.
Unknown number.
One text.
*You should have stayed outside.*
A second message arrived immediately.
*Your mother was right about one thing. You don't know what your father left behind.*
I looked at Mom.
She was staring at my phone.
Her face had gone completely white.
Then another message appeared.
*Ask her who was in the hospital room when your father died.*
I raised my eyes.
“Mom?””
She couldn't speak.
Emily whispered, “What does it say?””
I turned the screen toward her.
Mom suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Don't ask.””
I pulled free.
“Why?””
Her eyes locked onto mine.
“Because if you ask that question…”
May you like
She swallowed hard.
“…you'll finally understand why your father didn't trust me.””
