Chapter 12 - THE LEDGER
“Nobody hides anything,” Dominic said.
Luca looked at him. “Not even the box?”
“Especially not the box.”
Natalie stared toward the driveway where blue lights reflected through the rain.
“You think Brooke called them?”
“I think somebody planned this before I landed.”
Detective Elena Ruiz walked across the lawn under a black umbrella, followed by officers from the state financial crimes unit.
She was in her forties, sharp-eyed, and visibly unimpressed by the size of Dominic’s house.
“Dominic Mercer?”
“You know who I am.”
“I like hearing people confirm their names.”
He almost respected that.
She held up the warrant.
“We’re searching your office, financial archive, personal safe, and any devices connected to the Catherine Mercer Family Trust.”
“Based on what?”
“Allegations of trust fraud, forged beneficiary instructions, and money laundering through private vendors.”
Natalie stepped forward. “I’m the beneficiary.”
Ruiz looked at her. “Natalie Mercer?”
“Yes.”
“Your name is on several disputed transfers.”
“I didn’t authorize them.”
Ruiz’s eyes moved to Dominic.
“That’s what your brother says too.”
“I haven’t said anything to you yet.”
“No. But somebody did.”
Brooke appeared at the edge of the lawn in a raincoat, looking shaken.
“Dominic?”
He turned.
Her face was pale.
Either she was a remarkable actress or she had not expected the fire.
Maybe both.
“What happened?” she asked.
“The cottage burned.”
Brooke covered her mouth.
“Oh my God.”
Dominic watched her eyes.
They went first to Natalie.
Then to the metal cash box in Luca’s hands.
There.
Fear.
Tiny, quick, real.
Ruiz noticed it too.
“Everyone inside,” she said.
The search lasted two hours.
Officers photographed files, cloned computers, opened cabinets, and carried boxes from Dominic’s office.
Dominic cooperated.
Adrian hovered nearby, calm and useful.
Too useful.
“Anything you need, Detective,” he said.
Ruiz barely acknowledged him.
Grant Vale did not return.
At 3:17, an officer walked out of Dominic’s private study carrying a red folder.
Ruiz opened it on the library table.
Inside were wire instructions to Harbor Nine Restoration.
Each bore Dominic’s signature.
Each authorized payments from Catherine’s trust.
Natalie whispered, “Those are fake.”
Ruiz looked at Dominic. “Are they?”
“Yes.”
“Convenient.”
Dominic kept his voice even. “Check the dates against my travel records.”
“We will.”
Adrian stepped closer. “Detective, Dominic’s signature system was sometimes delegated through my office.”
Dominic slowly turned his head.
Ruiz noticed.
“Delegated?” she asked.
Adrian nodded. “Operationally. With his approval.”
“No,” Dominic said.
Adrian looked genuinely surprised.
“Dom, there were standing authorizations.”
“No.”
Brooke whispered, “What is happening?”
Emma stood in the doorway, listening.
Dominic realized the trap.
Adrian was not merely planting documents.
He was building a story in real time.
A story where Dominic had authorized the theft, Adrian had followed instructions, Brooke had innocently organized papers, and Natalie had received money she now denied taking.
Everyone dirty.
Nobody clean enough to testify.
Ruiz closed the red folder.
“Mr. Mercer, until we finish examining these records, do not leave Rhode Island.”
Brooke reached for Dominic’s arm.
He moved before she touched him.
Her hand hung in the air.
Emma saw it.
So did Natalie.
Then Luca entered the library carrying Catherine’s leather ledger.
“Found this in the box.”
Ruiz took it.
She read three pages.
Her expression changed.
“Where did this come from?”
“Catherine’s cottage,” Dominic said.
Ruiz flipped to the final note.
ADRIAN SAYS DOMINIC APPROVED IT. DOMINIC WAS IN ZURICH THAT NIGHT.
Adrian went very still.
Ruiz looked at him.
“Mr. Cross, were you managing Mr. Mercer’s authorizations two years ago?”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“I managed a lot of things.”
Ruiz closed the book.
“So did Catherine Mercer.”
She turned to Dominic.
“We’re going to need the rest of what she knew.”
Dominic reached inside his coat for the flash drive.
His hand found an empty pocket.
The drive was gone.
—
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