Chapter 13: My Dead Brother
Michael Mercer died when I was five.
That was the story my father told me.
There had been an accident at the family’s research property. A fire. Michael was fourteen.
No funeral I could remember.
No grave I had ever visited.
Just one photograph in my father’s study—a dark-haired boy standing beside a lake.
I stared at Claire’s letter.
“Michael.””
Officer Morales looked at me.
“Your brother?””
“He died twenty-nine years ago.””
“Apparently Claire believed otherwise.””
My hands shook as I connected the flash drive.
Folders appeared.
FINANCIAL.
CLINICAL.
OWNERSHIP.
M.M.
I opened the last one.
A video file filled the screen.
Claire appeared beside an older man wearing medical scrubs.
Dr. Samuel Cole.
Lily’s doctor.
Claire looked exhausted.
“Daniel, this is the part Richard will kill to keep hidden.””
Cole lifted a file.
“Michael Mercer survived the 1997 fire.””
I stopped breathing.
“The official records were falsified,” Cole continued.
“He suffered severe burns and neurological injuries. His father placed him in a private medical facility.””
“Why hide his own son?”” Morales muttered.
Claire answered as if she could hear him.
“Because Michael inherited controlling rights in the Mercer family trust on his eighteenth birthday.””
My stomach turned.
If Michael was alive, my father’s control of Mercer Biotech had never been legitimate.
Cole continued.
“Richard Vale learned Michael was alive. Over the years, he obtained biological samples without lawful consent.””
I gripped the desk.
Lily.
“No.””
Claire’s recorded voice broke.
“Richard used Michael’s genetic material during the embryo procedure.””
I closed my eyes.
My daughter had been created from two people whose DNA had been taken without informed consent.
Evelyn.
Michael.
Richard hadn’t created an heir.
He had manufactured a legal weapon.
The video continued.
“Michael is alive,” Claire said.
My eyes opened.
“As of this recording, he is being held at Saint Augustine Residential Center under the name Matthew Reed.””
Morales was already calling investigators.
I looked at the date.
Seven years ago.
“Find him.””
Morales nodded.
“We will.””
My phone rang.
Vanessa.
I nearly rejected it.
Then answered.
“What?””
“Daniel, Richard is talking.””
“About Michael?””
Silence.
That told me enough.
“You knew.””
“Not until two years ago.””
“You keep saying that.””
“I know.””
“You knew about Lily’s implant. You knew Natalie was alive. You knew Richard was manipulating us.””
“I was trying to survive.””
“And Rachel?””
Vanessa started crying.
“I have no excuse for Rachel.””
“No.””
“You’re right.””
That surprised me.
No defense.
No justification.
Just silence.
Then Vanessa whispered, “Richard says Michael isn’t at Saint Augustine anymore.””
“Where is he?””
“He won’t tell anyone except you.””
Twenty minutes later, I entered the interrogation room.
Richard sat behind a metal table.
Handcuffed.
Still smiling.
“Hello, Daniel.””
“Where’s Michael?””
“You finally believe.””
“Where is my brother?””
“Sit.””
I remained standing.
Richard leaned back.
“Your father was an extraordinary man.””
“Don’t.””
“He understood that companies like Mercer require sacrifice.””
“You mean theft.””
“I mean vision.””
“Where is Michael?””
Richard smiled.
“You look like him.””
I slammed both hands on the table.
“WHERE?””
The door opened behind me.
Morales stepped in.
“Daniel.””
I forced myself back.
Richard seemed pleased.
“Michael became inconvenient when Claire found him.””
“What did you do?””
“I moved him.””
“Where?””
Richard tilted his head.
“What will you give me?””
“Nothing.””
“Then Michael remains missing.””
I stared at him.
“You’re facing kidnapping charges, conspiracy charges, illegal medical experimentation—”
“And lawyers will argue every one.””
I leaned closer.
“But Claire’s files will destroy you.””
His smile weakened.
I saw it.
“You’re afraid of that flash drive.””
“No.””
“You are.””
I sat down.
“What’s missing?””
Richard said nothing.
“The files aren’t complete, are they?””
Still nothing.
“Claire split the evidence.””
His jaw tightened.
I had him.
“Michael has the rest.””
Richard finally looked away.
I smiled without humor.
“That’s why you kept him alive.””
The door opened again.
An investigator entered and whispered something to Morales.
Morales looked at me.
“We found Saint Augustine’s transfer records.””
“And?””
“Matthew Reed was moved six months ago.””
“Where?””
“A private facility outside Portland.””
Richard’s expression changed.
Morales noticed.
“We have the address.””
Richard suddenly stood.
His chair crashed backward.
“You don’t understand!””
Officers grabbed him.
“What don’t I understand?””
Richard struggled.
“Michael is dangerous!””
“Convenient.””
“He tried to kill your father!””
I froze.
“What?””
Richard laughed wildly.
“Ask him about the fire!””
Officers dragged him toward the door.
“Ask your brother who started it, Daniel!””
Three hours later, I stood outside a quiet medical facility surrounded by pine trees.
A doctor led me down a hallway.
“He doesn’t receive visitors.””
“He will today.””
We stopped at Room 214.
Through the glass, I saw a man sitting beside the window.
Burn scars climbed the left side of his neck.
Gray threaded through his dark hair.
He was drawing.
A little girl.
Six years old.
Long hair.
Holding a stuffed rabbit.
My throat closed.
The doctor opened the door.
The man slowly looked up.
His pencil fell.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then Michael Mercer whispered my childhood nickname.
“Danny?””
And I knew.
May you like
No DNA test required.
My brother was alive.
