Chapter 5 - Uncle Thomas
"Where are you?" Daniel asked.
"At home."
"Why shouldn't I trust Mercer?"
"Because his father was the federal prosecutor who built the case against Robert."
Daniel looked at Evan.
Evan did not react.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
Thomas continued through the phone.
"His father destroyed your father. Now the son suddenly appears in your house pretending to help? Think."
Daniel ended the call.
"You left that out."
Evan nodded. "I did."
"Why?"
"Because I knew how it would sound."
"It sounds dishonest."
"It was incomplete."
"That's what dishonest people call lying when they want a second chance."
Vanessa gave a bitter laugh.
"Welcome to the club."
Daniel shot her a look.
Evan stayed calm.
His father, Patrick Mercer, had prosecuted the fraud case against Robert Stellan. Years later, Patrick became convinced evidence had been withheld from him.
He spent the last decade of his life trying to reopen the case.
"He died before he could," Evan said.
"And now you're finishing his work?"
"Yes."
"Personal justice?"
"Personal guilt."
Evan reached into his bag and produced a cassette tape sealed in plastic.
"My father recorded this two weeks before he died."
Daniel found an old player in his desk cabinet.
Patrick Mercer's voice filled the room.
If Daniel Stellan ever hears this, tell him I believe his father was used as the visible thief because somebody needed the real theft buried.
Daniel gripped the desk.
The recording continued.
Robert Stellan was guilty of hiding losses. He was guilty of signing false statements. But I no longer believe he stole the patents or the missing forty-six million dollars.
Vanessa whispered, "Forty-six million?"
Evan looked at her.
"Your father never told you that number?"
"No."
Patrick's voice continued.
There was a fourth person in the room the night the transfer documents were signed.
Daniel leaned toward the player.
The tape crackled.
May you like
Then Patrick said the name.
Thomas Stellan.
