Chapter 5 - The Cousin Who Introduced HerAdrian Mercer lived in a penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan.
Daniel had been there twice.
Both times the apartment had felt more like a hotel suite than a home—expensive furniture chosen by designers, abstract paintings Adrian could not name, and no evidence that anyone had ever cooked in the kitchen.
Detective Bennett advised Daniel not to confront him.
So Daniel didn't.
Not immediately.
Instead, Margaret invited Adrian to breakfast.
She told him Evelyn wanted to discuss changes to the foundation.
Adrian arrived at Mercer House wearing a camel-colored coat and an expression of mild annoyance.
Then he saw the burned western wing.
“What happened?”
“Electrical fire,” Margaret said.
Detective Bennett watched through security cameras from another room.
Daniel remained upstairs.
Adrian walked into the library.
His first mistake was looking directly at the shelf concealing the secret staircase.
Margaret noticed.
So did Bennett.
“You seem nervous,” Margaret said.
“I don't like fires.”
“You knew the room existed.”
Adrian froze.
“What room?”
Margaret smiled without warmth.
“Thank you.”
He stood.
“I'm leaving.”
Daniel entered.
Adrian stared at him.
“Daniel.”
“Sit down.”
“No.”
Daniel blocked the doorway.
“You introduced me to Celeste.”
Adrian's face changed.
“So?”
“How long have you known Richard Vale?”
Silence.
That was enough.
Adrian turned toward the windows.
“You have no idea what you're dealing with.”
“Then explain it.”
“Your father destroyed people.”
“My father fired a thief.”
“That's what he told you?”
Margaret stepped forward.
“Be careful.”
Adrian laughed.
“There she is. Loyal Margaret.”
“What happened eleven years ago?”
Adrian looked at Daniel.
“Richard Vale found out your father was hiding losses inside the foundation.”
Daniel frowned.
“What losses?”
“Investments that failed. Hundreds of millions on paper.”
Margaret shook her head.
“That's false.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
Adrian walked closer.
“Then why did Thomas pay Vale three million dollars to disappear?”
Margaret went still.
Daniel noticed.
“You knew?”
“No.”
“But you believe him.”
Margaret said nothing.
Adrian smiled.
“This family has always preferred clean legends.”
Daniel forced himself to remain calm.
“Where is Celeste?”
“I don't know.”
“You introduced us.”
“That doesn't make me her keeper.”
“Why?”
Adrian shrugged.
“She wanted access to philanthropy. You wanted companionship.”
Daniel's fist tightened.
“And Richard?”
Adrian looked toward the burned wing.
“Richard wanted what your father stole.”
“What did he steal?”
Adrian's voice dropped.
“His proof.”
Detective Bennett entered.
“That's enough.”
Adrian turned.
His confidence vanished.
Bennett held up a warrant.
“We'd like your devices.”
“I want my attorney.”
“You can call one.”
Adrian reached for his phone.
It rang before he could.
Everyone looked at the screen.
Celeste.
Adrian declined the call.
Bennett smiled.
“Interesting timing.”
Adrian looked trapped.
Daniel stared at him.
“You're going to tell me where she is.”
Adrian's eyes hardened.
“No.”
Then Ethan's voice came from the doorway.
“She isn't at the hotel.”
Daniel spun.
“Ethan, you're supposed to be upstairs.”
“I checked her shared location.”
Everyone stared.
Ethan held up an old tablet.
“Lily's tablet was connected to Celeste's family account.”
Daniel nearly smiled.
“Where is she?”
Ethan turned the screen.
A blue dot pulsed thirty miles north.
Margaret recognized the address first.
“Oh my God.”
Daniel looked at her.
May you like
“What?”
“That property belonged to Richard Vale.”
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