CHAPTER 7 — The Last Letter
CHAPTER 7 — The Last Letter
Lila did not speak for nearly twenty-four hours.
The possibility that William Mercer had been her biological father shattered everything she believed about her childhood. Mary Hart had never spoken of another man. She had carried her secrets to the grave.
Jonathan refused to speculate.
"I want facts," he told Marcus Hale.
"Not theories."
Marcus nodded.
"I've already contacted the federal archives."
"No."
Jonathan stood.
"We're going ourselves."
The following morning, Jonathan, Lila, Marcus, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Brooks met inside a secured records facility in Chicago.
An elderly archivist disappeared into a climate-controlled vault.
When she returned, she carried a single sealed evidence box.
Across the top was written:
FEDERAL CASE 11-487
KANE BIOLOGICS
DO NOT DESTROY
Inside lay dozens of reports.
Medical records.
Financial ledgers.
Witness interviews.
Then, at the very bottom...
A handwritten envelope.
Addressed simply:
To my son, Jonathan... if the truth ever becomes necessary.
Jonathan's hands trembled.
It was his father's handwriting.
He carefully unfolded the letter.
"Jonathan,"
"If you're reading this, I failed."
"Victor Kane discovered that Mary Hart had evidence proving children were being used in illegal drug trials. She refused his money and refused his threats."
"I helped hide Mary and her daughter while preparing evidence for federal investigators."
"Before we could testify, Mary was poisoned."
"There is one more truth."
"Lila is my daughter."
"Years before I met your mother, Mary and I loved each other. We believed we would marry, but life separated us. When I learned about Lila years later, she was already living with another man who had claimed to be her father."
"I intended to acknowledge her after Kane was arrested."
"I ran out of time."
"Jonathan... she is your sister."
"Protect her."
"Protect her little girl as if she were your own family."
"That is the only inheritance I ask you to accept."
— William Mercer
Tears rolled silently down Jonathan's face.
Lila could no longer remain standing.
She covered her mouth as sobs escaped her.
"I had a father..."
She whispered.
"He knew..."
"He loved me..."
Jonathan embraced her.
For the first time in either of their lives...
Brother and sister held each other.
Not because of shared blood alone.
But because of twelve stolen years.
Marcus interrupted gently.
"There is another file."
It contained William Mercer's sworn testimony.
Included were photographs proving Victor Kane had financed illegal pediatric drug experiments.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Only one signature remained missing.
Victor Kane's.
That evening, federal agents prepared warrants across three states.
But Victor Kane was already moving.
He had kidnapped the only surviving scientist willing to testify.
May you like
And he had one final target.
Emma.
