Another appeared beside several transactions dated after Ryan entered witness protection.
R. Mercer.
“Ryan Mercer,” I whispered.
Christopher nodded.
“His alias.”
There was one recent transaction.
Four months earlier.
A payment from a private foundation to a rehabilitation center in Wisconsin.
My pulse jumped.
“Could that be him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Call them.”
“If Marcus monitors communications—”
“I don’t care.”
“I do.”
Christopher’s voice sharpened.
“You have children.”
I went silent.
He was right.
That made everything harder.
Three days later, trouble arrived at the mansion.
A black Mercedes pulled up.
Mrs. Alvarez entered the library.
“Christopher.”
Her face was pale.
“Your uncle is here.”
Christopher looked at me.
“Take the side stairs.”
“No.”
“Rachel.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“You are if you want your children safe.”
That stopped me.
I left through the service corridor.
But I didn’t go far.
I stood behind the half-open pantry door and listened.
Marcus Bennett entered laughing.
He sounded charming.
That made him more frightening.
“Nephew.”
Christopher’s voice was flat.
“Marcus.”
“I heard you hired a new nurse.”
“Caregiver.”
“A pretty one?”
My skin crawled.
Christopher said nothing.
Marcus continued.
“You should be careful who you allow inside this house.”
“Why?”
“People get curious.”
My heart began racing.
Marcus knew.
I was sure.
After he left, I rushed upstairs.
Christopher was furious.
“You were listening.”
“Yes.”
“I told you to leave.”
“And I didn’t.”
He rubbed his forehead.
“Rachel, this isn’t a game.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
He suddenly slammed his fist against the wheelchair armrest.
“My brakes failed because someone tampered with the car.”
I froze.
“What?”
“The police never proved it.”
He looked at me.
“But I know.”
I sat down.
Christopher continued.
“The night of the crash, I was driving to meet someone.”
“Who?”
“A man claiming to have information about Ryan.”
My skin prickled.
“He called from Wisconsin.”
The rehabilitation center.
“Yes.”
“Did you ever meet him?”
