Chapter 8 - The Mercer War
Vivian had never been afraid of paperwork.
She was afraid of losing control.
By afternoon, she had assembled the family's attorneys.
Daniel sat at the end of the conference table.
Rachel stood near the window.
"Find Emma."
One attorney cleared his throat.
"Mrs. Mercer, legally, we cannot simply force her to return."
Vivian glared.
"Then find another way."
Rachel spoke.
"What if we expose her?"
Vivian turned.
"Expose what?"
Rachel smiled.
"Her finances."
Daniel immediately shook his head.
"No."
Vivian looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because we don't know what's in her accounts."
"She works."
"That's not what I mean."
Daniel lowered his voice.
"If we investigate her publicly, she'll investigate us."
Vivian understood.
"She already is."
The room fell silent.
An attorney placed a folder on the table.
"We received this from the bank."
Vivian opened it.
Her expression changed.
"What is this?"
"An ownership review."
She read the first page.
Then the second.
Her hand began trembling.
Daniel noticed.
"What?"
Vivian looked at him.
"The estate may not belong to us."
Rachel laughed nervously.
"Of course it does."
Vivian pushed the folder toward her.
Rachel read.
Her face changed.
"That's impossible."
Daniel whispered:
"Emma."
Vivian looked at him.
"What did she do?"
"I don't know."
The attorney spoke.
"There is a historical trust attached to the property."
Vivian stared.
"Who controls it?"
The attorney hesitated.
"We're trying to determine that."
Daniel suddenly stood.
"I need to find Emma."
Vivian grabbed his arm.
"No."
"Mom."
"She wants us to panic."
Daniel looked at her.
"Maybe she wants us to remember something."
Vivian's face hardened.
"What?"
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't know."
He left.
Vivian remained at the table.
Rachel watched her.
"Mom?"
Vivian didn't answer.
She was remembering a conversation from twenty years ago.
A conversation with Emma's father.
A warning.
A threat.
And a promise.
Vivian whispered:
"He said she would come back."
Rachel frowned.
"Who?"
May you like
Vivian looked toward the door.
"Her father."
