Chapter 15 - The Last Witness
Samuel’s trial began four months later.
Federal prosecutors had recordings, financial records, eyewitnesses, and testimony from Gerald Mercer.
But Samuel’s attorneys argued that the evidence had been manipulated by a family desperate to preserve its company.
Then Gerald disappeared.
He failed to arrive at court on the morning he was scheduled to testify.
Police found his apartment empty.
There were signs of a struggle.
Avery received a message thirty minutes later.
COME ALONE TO LAKE ROAD.
BRING MARGARET’S RING.
A photograph showed Gerald tied to a chair.
Beside him stood Samuel’s last free associate, a former Sterling investigator named Marcus Dane.
Detective Ruiz wanted to use Avery as bait.
Liam refused.
“You are not going.”
Avery looked at him.
“You don’t get to make that decision.”
“I know. I’m asking you not to.”
The difference mattered.
Avery turned toward Ruiz.
“We use the ring.”
Margaret’s gold ring contained no obvious secret, but investigators discovered a tiny hollow space beneath the stone.
Inside was a strip of microfilm.
It contained account numbers linking Samuel to offshore payments and the order authorizing Claire’s murder.
Marcus wanted it destroyed.
Avery traveled to Lake Road wearing a concealed transmitter.
The meeting place was the abandoned motel where Charles had met Claire sixteen years earlier.
Snow covered the parking lot.
Avery entered room seventeen.
Gerald sat tied to a chair.
Marcus stood behind him holding a gun.
“You look like your mother,” Marcus said.
“You were there when she died.”
“I followed Samuel’s orders.”
“You cut the brake line.”
Marcus smiled.
“Samuel always said details were more reliable than bullets.”
Avery held up the ring.
“Let Gerald go.”
“Give me the film.”
“Release him first.”
Marcus pressed the gun against Gerald’s head.
“You inherited Margaret’s stubbornness.”
“And my mother’s memory.”
Avery opened the ring.
The compartment was empty.
Marcus’s expression changed.
“The film has already been copied,” she said. “It was delivered to prosecutors this morning.”
“You’re lying.”
“You kidnapped Gerald because you needed the original destroyed. Destroying it changes nothing now.”
Marcus stepped toward her.
Behind the motel wall, Liam listened through the transmitter.
Police waited for Ruiz’s signal.
But Marcus’s men had discovered one of the surveillance vehicles.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Marcus grabbed Avery and pulled her in front of him.
Gerald threw himself sideways, knocking the chair into Marcus’s knees.
The gun fired.
Avery fell.
Liam heard the shot and ran into the room before police could stop him.
Marcus aimed at Avery again.
Liam tackled him.
They crashed through the motel window onto the snow-covered walkway.
Marcus reached for the gun.
Avery kicked it beneath a parked car.
Detective Ruiz arrived and arrested him.
Gerald was wounded in the arm but alive.
Liam helped Avery stand.
“You came inside.”
“I know.”
“That was reckless.”
“I know.”
“You could have been killed.”
He looked at her, breathless.
“So could you.”
Avery wanted to argue.
Instead, she laughed.
The sound surprised both of them.
Later, as paramedics treated Gerald, Avery and Liam stood beside the road where Claire had died.
A small memorial cross remained near the trees.
Avery placed white roses beneath it.
“My whole life changed here,” she said.
Liam stood beside her.
“I’m sorry.”
“This wasn’t your fault.”
“No. But I’m sorry you carried it alone.”
Avery looked at him.
“I don’t want to carry things alone anymore.”
Hope appeared in his eyes, but he did not assume more.
She took his hand.
May you like
It was not complete forgiveness.
It was a beginning.
