Chapter 44- MY MOTHER’S LAST MEETINGMy mother had agreed to meet a young federal investigator named Daniel Mercer at a roadside motel.
She planned to surrender the original ledger in exchange for protection for our family.
She never arrived.
Her car was found beneath a bridge, burned beyond recognition. The authorities declared her dead using dental records that later disappeared.
My father believed Mercer had betrayed her location.
Mercer claimed the leak came from elsewhere.
Neither man had proof.
“Is my mother alive too?” I whispered.
My father’s silence answered before his words did.
“I don’t know.”
My phone rang.
Emma’s name appeared on the screen.
I answered immediately.
Peter spoke instead.
“Your daughter is safe for the next ten minutes.”
My father braked so hard the van skidded.
“You’re lying,” I said.
Peter laughed softly.
“Ask Agent Mercer why his secure office has an underground tunnel.”
Then Emma cried out in the background.
May you like
“Mom!”
The line disconnected.
