Chapter 7 - The Hidden Account
The message disappeared five minutes later.
The number could not be traced.
Emma refused to panic.
She had learned long ago that fear made people careless.
She returned to the documents.
"Find every account associated with my father's name."
Marcus nodded.
Hours passed.
Nothing.
Then an analyst entered.
"We found something."
Emma turned.
The analyst placed a document on the table.
"There was an account."
"Where?"
"Offshore trust structure."
Emma stared at the name.
"Who was the beneficiary?"
The analyst hesitated.
"That's complicated."
"Tell me."
"The beneficiary was originally your father."
Emma's breath caught.
"Originally?"
"Yes."
"Who changed it?"
The analyst placed another page down.
Emma read the amendment.
Her name appeared.
Emma looked up.
"When?"
"Six months after your father's death."
"Who filed it?"
The analyst shook his head.
"We can't identify the person yet."
Marcus leaned forward.
"But there is a witness."
"Who?"
"An attorney."
Emma's phone rang.
She answered.
A male voice said:
"Mrs. Mercer?"
"Yes."
"My name is Harold Bennett."
Emma recognized the name.
"You handled my father's estate."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me about the trust?"
Silence.
"Because your father instructed me not to."
Emma stood.
"He was dead."
"Yes."
"How could he instruct you?"
Harold sighed.
"Because the instruction was made before his death."
Emma's voice became quiet.
"What did he tell you?"
"I was told that if the Mercer family ever attempted to take control of your assets, I was to release a sealed file."
Emma looked at Marcus.
"What file?"
Harold answered:
"The Mercer file."
Emma's heart began beating faster.
"What is in it?"
"I don't know."
"You don't?"
"I was never permitted to open it."
"Where is it?"
Harold gave her an address.
Then he added:
"Mrs. Mercer..."
"Yes?"
"Your father was afraid of Vivian Mercer."
Emma went silent.
"Why?"
Harold's answer came slowly.
"Because he believed she would eventually come for you."
The call ended.
Emma stared at the phone.
Marcus spoke softly.
"Do you want to go?"
Emma nodded.
"Yes."
But before she could move, her phone received another message.
May you like
This time there was only one sentence.
Don't open the file.
