Chapter 3 - THE MAN BESIDE HIS WIFE
The photograph had been taken nine months earlier.
Marcus Vale stood with one hand around Vanessa’s waist. The article identified him as the founder of Vale Urban Holdings and praised his company’s plan to redevelop historic properties across the county.
Daniel enlarged the image.
Marcus was nearly sixty, with silver at his temples and a narrow scar beneath his left eye.
He was also the dark-haired man in the photograph with Daniel’s parents.
Daniel searched through more articles.
Marcus had built an empire purchasing old houses, factories, and farmland. Several properties near the Mercer estate had recently been acquired through shell companies.
One article mentioned his newest project: a luxury residential development planned for the hills east of Lake Marrow.
The Mercer property stood directly between that development and the highway.
Daniel looked toward the bedroom.
Vanessa was sleeping.
Her phone rested on the nightstand.
He had never searched it before. He did not like the thought of becoming a husband who secretly checked his wife’s messages.
Then he remembered the bruise around his mother’s wrist.
He picked up the phone.
The device required a passcode, but a notification appeared across the screen.
M: She cannot delay much longer. The surveyors arrive Friday.
Daniel photographed the notification with his own phone.
Vanessa shifted beneath the blanket.
He replaced her phone and walked into the hall.
The next morning, he asked Evelyn whether she remembered Marcus Vale.
The spoon slipped from her hand.
Vanessa had gone to the pharmacy, leaving them alone in the breakfast room.
“Mom?”
Evelyn stared at the table.
“Where did you hear that name?”
“Dad wrote it in a letter.”
Her head snapped up.
“You found the letter?”
“It was hidden in your bedroom vent.”
“You shouldn’t have opened it.”
“It was addressed to me.”
“You must burn it.”
“Why?”
“Because Marcus will know.”
“How?”
“He always knows.”
Daniel sat opposite her.
“I found a picture of him with Vanessa.”
Evelyn’s face collapsed.
“No.”
“You know they are connected?”
“No, no, no.”
She pushed away from the table so quickly that her chair struck the wall.
“He promised he would leave us alone.”
“Who promised?”
“Marcus.”
“When?”
“After your father died.”
Daniel rose.
“What did he do?”
Evelyn pressed both hands against her temples.
“I can’t see it clearly.”
“Try.”
“There was rain. The blue room. Your father was shouting.”
“What blue room?”
“The room at Lake Marrow.”
“The lake house?”
Evelyn nodded.
Daniel had not visited the Mercer lake house since childhood. It had been locked for more than twenty years after storm damage made it unsafe.
“What happened there?”
Evelyn looked toward the window.
“Jonathan found the records.”
“What records?”
“He said Marcus had been stealing.”
“From whom?”
“Everyone.”
Her breathing became uneven.
Daniel reached for her hand.
“Slow down.”
“Jonathan wanted to go to the police. Marcus said no one would believe him. Then there was a photograph. A camera flash.”
“The photograph Dad mentioned?”
“I don’t know.”
“You do know.”
“I don’t.”
Evelyn began to shake.
Daniel stopped pressing.
He poured water and waited until her breathing steadied.
A car door slammed outside.
Vanessa had returned.
Evelyn gripped Daniel’s sleeve.
“She must not know you found the letter.”
“She already knows something is hidden.”
“Then hide it somewhere she cannot reach.”
Daniel folded the letter into a plastic sleeve and placed it inside his work bag.
Vanessa entered carrying a pharmacy package.
“I brought the new prescription.”
“She isn’t taking it.”
Vanessa closed the door behind her.
“Dr. Cole said she needs it.”
“I spoke to him.”
“And?”
“He changed her dosage without an examination.”
“He trusts my observations.”
“I don’t.”
Vanessa became still.
Evelyn looked between them.
Daniel continued.
“I am taking Mom to another doctor tomorrow.”
“That is unnecessary.”
“It is decided.”
Vanessa placed the pharmacy bag on the table.
“You cannot cancel her treatment because of one emotional morning.”
Daniel studied her face.
“How did you know this morning was emotional?”
Vanessa glanced at Evelyn.
“I can see it.”
“No. You said it as though someone told you.”
The silence stretched.
Then Vanessa smiled sadly.
“You’ve been home for two days, and she has already turned you against me.”
Daniel picked up the pharmacy package.
The label listed Evelyn’s name, but the prescribing doctor was not Adrian Cole.
May you like
It was signed by a physician Daniel had never heard of.
Dr. Marcus Vale.
