Chapter 10 - THE JUDGE
Judge Adrian Mercer had spent thirty-two years appearing untouchable.
Federal judge.
Philanthropist.
Family man.
A face associated with justice.
Behind closed doors, he had spent twenty years building an organization hidden behind legitimate institutions.
Gabriel was his operator.
Nathan was his watcher.
Camille was disposable.
And the Hawthorne empire was his final prize.
Rachel Monroe could not arrest Mercer without proof.
So they needed him to talk.
Evelyn proposed something dangerous.
“Let him believe Gabriel is losing control.”
Damian understood immediately.
“Turn them against each other.”
Exactly.
Camille agreed to help.
From jail, she contacted Gabriel using an old emergency channel.
She told him Damian had found Elias’s ledger.
Gabriel panicked.
Then Grace did something nobody expected.
She volunteered to become bait.
Damian refused instantly.
“No.”
“Mercer thinks I know where the ledger is.”
“No.”
“He already wants me dead.”
“No.”
Grace stepped closer.
“Stop answering like a father talking to Noah.”
Damian almost smiled.
She continued.
“You need evidence.”
“I need you alive.”
“And I need Noah alive.”
Their eyes met.
Grace lowered her voice.
“If Mercer wins, he will never stop.”
Damian knew she was right.
The plan moved forward.
Grace appeared to flee Hawthorne protection.
A photographer captured her entering a downtown hotel.
Within two hours, Nathan’s replacement approached.
Grace was brought to a private suite.
Judge Mercer entered alone.
Perfect suit.
Perfect smile.
“You caused an extraordinary amount of trouble.”
Grace kept her hands folded.
“I’m a nanny.”
Mercer laughed.
“That is exactly why Gabriel underestimated you.”
Grace looked at him.
“Why Noah?”
Mercer poured himself a drink.
“Because bloodlines are legal instruments disguised as families.”
Grace felt disgusted.
“He’s a baby.”
“He’s a controlling interest worth billions.”
“He laughs when someone sneezes.”
Mercer stopped.
“What?”
“He hates peas.”
“He sleeps with one foot outside his blanket.”
“He cries when Damian leaves the room.”
Grace’s voice tightened.
“That is who you tried to kill.”
For the first time Mercer’s smile disappeared.
“You sentimental people are exhausting.”
Grace touched the hidden transmitter beneath her sleeve.
“Did you kill Isabel too?”
Mercer looked amused.
“No.”
“Gabriel did.”
“On your orders?”
Mercer took a sip.
“I suggested a problem needed solving.”
In the surveillance vehicle outside, Rachel heard every word.
So did Damian.
His fists tightened.
Mercer continued.
“Elias was more difficult.”
Grace forced herself not to react.
“You killed him?”
“Indirectly.”
That was enough.
Rachel gave the signal.
Federal agents entered.
But Mercer smiled.
“You think I came without insurance?”
An explosion shook the building.
Smoke filled the corridor.
Mercer’s men attacked the stairwell.
Damian broke protocol.
He entered.
Found Grace.
Got her out.
Mercer escaped through a service elevator.
Gabriel did not.
He was waiting in the garage.
For Damian.
“Mercer will kill us both now,” Gabriel said.
Damian grabbed him by the collar.
“You murdered my wife.”
Gabriel did not deny it.
“Then kill me.”
Damian stared.
Gabriel smiled bitterly.
“That’s what Mercer expects.”
Damian’s hand tightened.
Grace appeared behind him.
“Damian.”
He heard her.
That saved Gabriel’s life.
Damian released him.
“Talk.”
Gabriel looked surprised.
Then afraid.
“Mercer has Noah.”
Grace’s heart stopped.
Damian turned.
“What?”
Gabriel whispered,
May you like
“The child at your estate…”
“…is not Noah.”
