Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO DISAPPEARED
David Mercer had vanished two years earlier.
Officially, he had resigned.
Unofficially, nobody knew where he went.
Marissa found his last known address.
An apartment in Brooklyn.
She went there with her attorney.
The building manager hesitated.
“Mr. Mercer doesn't live here anymore.”
“Do you know where he went?”
“No.”
Marissa showed a photograph.
The manager studied it.
“He used to receive letters.”
“From whom?”
The manager looked nervous.
“Different people.”
“Do you remember a woman?”
“Yes.”
“Blonde?”
“Yes.”
“Older?”
“Yes.”
Marissa knew.
Eleanor.
The manager gave her a name.
A private mailbox.
Marissa followed the lead.
Inside the mailbox was one envelope.
No return address.
Her name was written across it.
Marissa opened it.
Inside was a single sentence.
You were never supposed to know.
Nothing else.
Her attorney looked over her shoulder.
“What does it mean?”
“I don't know.”
Then her phone rang.
Thomas Reed.
“We found another company.”
“What company?”
“Mercer Advisory.”
Marissa's heart stopped.
“David's company?”
“Yes.”
“Is he involved?”
“We don't know.”
“What do you need from me?”
“Everything you have.”
Marissa looked at the envelope.
“I have something new.”
She described it.
Thomas became silent.
“Don't show that to anyone.”
“Why?”
“Because the person who sent it may still be watching you.”
Marissa looked across the street.
A black SUV was parked near the corner.
The windows were dark.
She turned away.
The SUV remained.
Her attorney noticed.
“Do you know that vehicle?”
“No.”
They walked back toward the car.
The SUV started moving.
It passed them slowly.
Marissa caught a glimpse of the driver.
Anthony.
She stopped.
“He's following us.”
Her attorney looked back.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
The SUV disappeared around the corner.
Marissa called Thomas again.
“He's following me.”
Thomas replied immediately.
“Do not confront him.”
“I wasn't planning to.”
But Anthony had already made his choice.
That evening, he entered the townhouse.
He found Marissa in the living room.
“You've been asking questions.”
Marissa looked up.
“Yes.”
“About David.”
“Yes.”
“Leave him alone.”
“Why?”
“Because he's dangerous.”
Marissa smiled.
“You're afraid of him.”
Anthony stepped closer.
“You don't know what you're talking about.”
“Then tell me.”
He said nothing.
“Where is David?”
“I don't know.”
“Why did Eleanor send him money?”
Anthony froze.
Marissa watched him.
That reaction told her more than words could.
“You knew.”
“No.”
“You knew.”
Anthony turned away.
Marissa said quietly:
“Why?”
He looked back.
“You have no idea what you're about to uncover.”
“Then tell me.”
Anthony shook his head.
“You think the money is the worst part.”
Marissa's expression changed.
“What is the worst part?”
Anthony stared at her.
May you like
Then he said:
“The money wasn't ours.”
