Chapter 2 - The Lockbox in the Attic
By nightfall, Noah was fast asleep in the guest room of Clara’s house—Elena’s older sister and an attorney specializing in family law.
Downstairs in the dimly lit kitchen, Clara set a mug of hot chamomile tea in front of Elena. Papers were spread across the dining table: bank statements, estate probate documents from David’s death, and court transcripts from the custody battle.
"Margaret is desperate," Clara said, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed. "Grant’s arrest shattered her narrative in court. The judge saw the police photos of the bruise on Noah’s jaw. Margaret is facing severe public scrutiny, and the Mercer family estate board is threatening to remove her as trustee."
"She sent me a text, Clara," Elena said, her voice barely above a whisper. She slid her phone across the table. "Look at this."
Clara picked up the phone, scanning the message. Her eyebrows drew together. "Burlington, 2017? David was living there for six months while managing the Mercer timber land expansion."
"Margaret said there’s a child," Elena said, her throat dry. "A child they spent years pretending didn't exist."
"If David had another child before he met you, or during your marriage, it changes the entire structure of the Mercer estate trust," Clara explained, her legal instincts kicking in. "David’s father set up the trust so that all direct biological grandchildren share equal distribution upon turning twenty-five. If Margaret was hiding a child, she wasn't just doing it out of cruelty—she was doing it to keep total control of the capital."
"Where would David keep records of that trip?" Elena asked.
Clara paused, looking up at the ceiling. "David kept his personal journals in the brass lockbox his father gave him. It's still in the attic of your old house, isn't it?"
"The Mercer estate," Elena realized, her stomach turning.
The estate Margaret currently occupied.
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"We can't just break in," Clara warned. "Margaret will have security."
"She won't be expecting me at 2:00 AM," Elena said, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination. "I still have the key to the side gate. David gave it to me before he died."
