Chapter 4
I had shaken my head.
“Please don’t talk like that.”
He reached across the desk and held my hand.
“Remember what I taught you, Ellie.”
His fingers tightened gently around mine.
“When wolves circle, don’t show them where you’re wounded.
Count them.”
I had left his study frightened by the conversation.
Now, standing beside his coffin, I finally understood.
I looked at Caleb.
Then Vanessa.
One wolf.
Two.
But the documents, the financial adviser, and the sudden questions about my mental stability suggested that there were other people helping them.
I lowered my hands from my stomach.
For the first time that morning, I forced myself to look at my husband without letting him see my fear.
“Enjoy the service, Caleb.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“Excuse me?”
“You came here to be seen.
I wouldn’t want to spoil your performance.”
Vanessa’s smile flickered.
Caleb studied my face.
Then he leaned closer.
“Careful, sweetheart.”
I didn’t answer.
Across the chapel, Arthur Harlan stood beside the front pew.
He was a small, silver-haired man with round glasses and the kind of quiet authority that made powerful executives lower their voices when he entered a room.
When our eyes met, he gave me the faintest nod.
It wasn’t sympathy.
It wasn’t an expression of condolence.
It was a signal.
The funeral director stepped toward the microphone to announce the final prayer.
But before he could speak, Mr.
Harlan rose.
He walked slowly down the aisle carrying a black envelope sealed with my father’s silver crest.
The chapel grew quiet.
Caleb straightened beside me.
Vanessa stopped smiling.
Mr.
Harlan approached the coffin.
“Mrs.
Mercer,” he said, “your father left very specific instructions concerning this envelope.”
My heart began pounding.
“What instructions?”
“It was to remain sealed until his funeral.”
He looked directly at Caleb.
“And it was to be opened in your husband’s presence.”
A murmur swept through the room.
Caleb gave a short, humorless laugh.
“Arthur, whatever this is, we can handle it privately.”
“I’m afraid those were not Robert’s instructions.”
“This is inappropriate.”
“Your father-in-law anticipated that objection.”
Caleb’s jaw tightened.
Mr.
Harlan carefully broke the silver seal.
Inside were several folded pages and a smaller packet.
He unfolded the first document and adjusted his glasses.
“Robert requested that I read his opening statement exactly as written.”
Then he looked directly at my husband.
“Caleb Mercer, I know exactly who you are.”
For the first time since entering the chapel, Caleb stopped smiling.