Chapter 9 - The Lawyer
Marcus Vale did not run when police entered the guesthouse.
He sat at the dining table drinking bourbon.
"You took your time," he said.
Adrian nearly crossed the room at him, but Brooks stopped him.
"Start talking."
Vale smiled. "Your mother has spent her entire life protecting the Mercer legacy from weak men. Your father disappointed her. You disappointed her more."
"So she tried to kill my son?"
"No. She tried to create a crisis."
Maya snapped, "A baby underwater is not a crisis. It's attempted murder."
Vale studied her. "You were never supposed to fail. Evelyn selected you precisely because of your lifeguard certification."
Maya's breath caught.
She had listed that certification on her employment application two years ago.
Adrian looked sick.
"You hired her knowing this would happen someday?"
Vale shrugged. "Contingencies are the foundation of wealth."
Brooks placed him under arrest.
Before officers took him away, Vale leaned toward Adrian.
"You still don't understand the plan. The trust is only one piece."
"Then explain it."
Vale smiled.
"Ask who Caleb's beneficiary becomes if you die before your son."
Adrian raced back to the library.
The primary beneficiary after Caleb was not Evelyn.
It was the Mercer Foundation.
Chairperson: Evelyn Mercer.
But beneath it was a newly filed amendment.
Vice Chair: Celeste Vaughn.
Maya stared at the date.
It had been filed six months earlier.
The same week Celeste first "accidentally" met Adrian at a charity auction.
His relationship had not been romance.
It had been placement.
Then Adrian found one more document.
A life insurance policy on Caleb.
Twenty-five million dollars.
May you like
Purchased by the Mercer Foundation.
Signed by Evelyn.
