Chapter 7 - The Trap
The corruption bureau wanted to arrest Marcus and Voss immediately.
Tom argued against it.
The records proved financial crimes, conspiracy and obstruction, but connecting Marcus directly to the attack on the Mercer family would be more difficult.
Annie deserved the full truth.
Tom proposed a trap.
He would tell Marcus that the blue box contained only partial records. He would claim that David’s original ledger remained hidden inside the Mercer house.
Marcus would be given an opportunity to retrieve it.
Sarah objected.
“It’s too dangerous.”
“We’ll control the location.”
“You cannot control a man who has avoided justice for ten years.”
Tom looked at Annie.
She placed her hand on the blue box.
Then she wrote a single sentence.
He needs to hear me speak.
Tom understood.
Marcus believed Annie’s silence had protected him. If she confronted him, his confidence might break.
The operation was arranged at the Mercer house.
Federal agents installed hidden cameras and microphones throughout the building. Officers loyal to Sarah surrounded the property.
Tom called Marcus.
“I found David’s note,” he said. “The real ledger is still in the bedroom wall.”
Marcus remained silent.
Tom continued.
“Voss won’t protect you when the investigation begins. Help me arrest him, and I’ll tell the prosecutor you cooperated.”
“You’ve become paranoid,” Marcus replied.
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
Marcus arrived two hours later.
He came alone, but agents spotted a second vehicle stopping near the rear road.
Voss was inside.
Tom waited in the antique bedroom with Annie beside him.
The room had been restored to look almost exactly as it had ten years earlier. A replacement bed stood near the wall. A child’s drawing lay beneath it.
Marcus entered.
For a moment, his face showed genuine shock.
“You brought her here?”
“She wanted to come.”
Marcus looked at Annie.
She did not lower her eyes.
Tom held up an empty envelope.
“Where is Voss?”
“I came alone.”
“That was never your strength, Marcus. You always needed someone more powerful to hide behind.”
Marcus smiled.
“You think a few old papers will change anything?”
“They already have.”
Marcus’s expression hardened.
“You should have left the past buried.”
Annie stepped forward.
Marcus looked at her with the same calm, superior expression he had worn in the doorway ten years earlier.
Then Annie spoke.
May you like
“You said that to my father.”
Marcus’s face lost all color.
