Chapter 10 - Sunday Morning
The mansion belonged technically to Robert, though Laura and Mark had been living there during renovations on their townhouse.
Mark believed the arrangement gave him opportunity.
He did not know Robert had turned the dining room into a surveillance site.
Sunday arrived bright and clear.
Robert came at nine.
Mark wore a mauve blazer.
Laura hated the blazer.
She had bought it for their tenth anniversary.
Mark kissed her cheek.
"You okay?"
"Just tired."
"You look pale."
"Didn't sleep."
He touched her forehead.
For half a second, she almost remembered loving him.
Then she noticed the small bulge in his jacket pocket.
The tablet.
Laura excused herself.
"Bathroom."
Instead she slipped through the service corridor and entered the dining room from a concealed side panel Robert had discovered during renovations.
The old mansion contained strange architectural features.
Storage passages.
Servants' access routes.
One narrow compartment opened beneath the dining table.
Laura crawled inside.
Her heartbeat was so loud she feared Mark would hear it.
Robert entered.
"Morning."
Mark poured coffee.
They discussed property documents.
Mark asked Robert to sign.
Robert refused.
Mark pushed.
Robert resisted.
Then Laura saw the tablet.
Exactly as Mercer predicted.
Mark turned slightly away.
Dropped it into Robert's coffee.
Stirred once.
Laura felt terror and rage collide inside her.
"One sip," Mark whispered, "and the house is mine."
Robert heard him.
So did the microphones.
Robert waited.
Then the confrontation began.
Documents slammed.
Accusations exploded.
Mark's restraint disappeared faster than anyone expected.
"Twelve damn years pretending to be family," Robert shouted.
Mark's expression changed.
"Shut your mouth, old man. You'll die broke anyway."
That sentence alone would later be replayed repeatedly in court.
Under the table, Laura found the evidence folder Robert had hidden there.
Inside were copies of bank records.
Photographs.
Transcripts.
And a handwritten note.
Laura,
If things go wrong, take this and use the kitchen exit.
Do not try to save me.
I love you.
Dad.
Laura's throat closed.
Then Robert switched the cups.
It was not part of the plan.
Mercer had instructed him to prevent anyone from drinking.
But Robert wanted to see what Mark would do if faced with his own poison.
Mark picked up the cup.
Laura whispered:
"Don't."
Mark heard her.
Before he could react, agents pounded on the front door.
"Federal agents! Open the door!"
Mark stared toward the sound.
Then toward Robert.
Then under the table.
His eyes found Laura.
Everything changed.
"Laura?"
She crawled backward.
Mark dropped the cup.
It shattered.
Robert stood.
"Don't move."
Mark lunged.
May you like
Not toward Robert.
Toward Laura.
