Part 3: The Trap at the House
A cold, sharp clarity washed over my grief, replacing my despair with an unyielding, protective rage. I reached behind the silver picture frame in the envelope and detached a small, black encryption thumb drive.
“What are you going to do?” Marcus asked, watching me slide the drive into my coat pocket alongside the paper trail.
“My kids are at my house right now,” I said, my voice dropping into a razor-sharp tone. “With Nora.”
“Emily, don’t go back there alone! Call the police!”
“If I call the local precinct, Victor will know before the squad cars turn down my street,” I replied, pulling out my smartphone. “Liam spent three years as a legal analyst for the Federal Task Force. I’m calling his old director.”
I dialed the direct line Liam had made me memorize years ago. Within three minutes, Special Agent Vance from the Federal Financial Crimes Division answered, reviewing the digital hash codes I read off the thumb drive.
“Mrs. Mercer,” Agent Vance stated, his voice cool and iron-clad. “That thumb drive contains complete audio logs of your sister and Victor discussing the staged accident. We are deploying a tactical unit to your residence immediately. Drive home normally, do not alert your sister, and keep your children in the backyard until we arrive.”
To see Nora’s reaction when Emily confronts her, continue reading below for Part 4.
