Chapter 17 - The Signature
Mercer wanted Claire at the Bennett boardroom by noon.
No police.
No Ethan.
No games.
Claire laughed when he said it.
"You have spent eight years blackmailing, burning, kidnapping, and shooting people. I think we're past your right to request 'no games.'"
Mercer stayed calm.
"Sign the lease transfer and I disappear. Refuse, and I release documents that will bury the Bennett company and put hundreds of employees out of work."
Ethan grabbed the phone.
"Come near her and I'll—"
Claire took it back.
"No."
Ethan stared at her.
Claire spoke to Mercer.
"Noon. Boardroom."
She hung up.
"Absolutely not," Ethan said.
"He needs my signature. That's leverage."
"He also tried to kill you."
"Then let's use the fact that he thinks I'm scared."
At 11:58, Claire entered the boardroom alone.
At least, it looked that way.
Police had cameras in the ceiling vents. Ethan watched from the security room. Shaw waited with a tactical team one floor below.
Mercer arrived wearing a gray suit and carrying a leather folder.
He looked almost normal.
That made Claire hate him more.
"Mrs. Bennett."
"Grant."
He slid the documents toward her.
"Sign."
Claire sat.
"Before I do, tell me why Mara died."
Mercer's jaw moved.
"Car accident."
"You know that's not what I'm asking."
He said nothing.
Claire leaned forward.
"Was it you?"
Mercer looked toward the windows.
"Richard wanted her watched. Mara tried to run. A driver followed. Roads were icy."
"That's not an answer."
"I didn't order anyone to hit her car."
Claire heard Ethan's sharp breath in her hidden earpiece.
"Who did?"
Mercer finally looked at her.
"Daniel."
Claire's stomach dropped.
"You're lying."
"Ask him."
The boardroom doors opened.
Ethan walked in.
"We will."
Mercer turned.
His hand moved inside his jacket.
Claire slammed the heavy glass water pitcher into his wrist.
The gun hit the table.
Ethan tackled him.
Police poured through both doors.
Mercer was pinned to the floor within seconds.
As Shaw cuffed him, Mercer started laughing.
"You think this ends with me?"
Claire stared down at him.
"It ends with you in prison. That's a start."
Mercer looked at Ethan.
"Ask your brother where he was the night Mara died."
Ethan's face changed.
In the security room upstairs, Daniel's hospital guard turned toward an empty bed.
The window was open.
May you like
Daniel was gone.
