Chapter 18 - THE LAST OFFER
They found Vanessa at the airport's private terminal, standing beside a small charter plane while officers searched the luggage. She had a passport, two expensive coats, and enough jewelry to rebuild a smaller family's future.
I was not there when they stopped her. I was in a police interview room, giving a statement about the Swiss clinic. But she asked to see me, and Quinn allowed a supervised conversation with my attorney present.
Vanessa looked almost ordinary without the emerald gown and the diamonds.
"You could make this go away," she said as soon as I sat down.
"No."
"You haven't heard my offer."
"I heard Maya begging you to stop. That was enough."
She leaned forward. "Mercer has money no one knows about. Names. Documents. If you protect me, I'll tell you where everything is."
"Tell the detective."
"You think Julian's innocent?" she snapped. "He signed things. He was going to leave you in charge of the mess."
My stomach dropped, but I kept my voice steady. "Then the evidence will show it."
She studied me, searching for the old woman who believed control meant winning every conversation.
"I can still destroy your reputation," she whispered.
"You nearly destroyed a child. My reputation is not the emergency."
Quinn ended the interview. Outside, Naomi reminded me that cooperating with prosecutors would be Vanessa's choice, not a favor I could promise in exchange for my silence.
By evening, investigators had located Mercer at a lakeside property. He was detained after trying to leave by car. Halden was being questioned over the forged documents and his part in concealing Julian's captivity.
I called Julian with the news.
"It's over," I said.
There was a pause.
"Not yet, Mom. They found something in my old room while searching the passage."
May you like
"What something?"
"A letter from Dad. It's addressed to you. And it's dated the day before he died."
