Chapter 2 - THE MAN WHO CALLED THIRTEEN TIMES
Gideon had never known Tessa had a child.
She arrived at the office before everyone else.
Stayed late when necessary.
Never requested special treatment.
Never mentioned a school pickup, a pediatrician, or a birthday party.
He had assumed she was unmarried and lived alone.
Now he realized how little he knew about the woman who knew nearly everything about him.
“How old?” he asked.
Tessa wiped her cheeks.
“Five.”
Gideon's jaw tightened.
“Where is she?”
Tessa hesitated.
“With my aunt.”
“Is your aunt safe?”
“I don't know.”
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
Tessa recoiled.
Gideon looked at her.
“You don't have to answer.”
“If I don't, he'll hurt her.”
Gideon glanced at Frank.
“Call the police. Tell them there's a credible threat against a child.”
Tessa grabbed his sleeve.
“No!”
He stopped.
She was shaking.
“He has people everywhere.”
Gideon studied her.
“Who?”
Tessa swallowed.
Then whispered, “Daniel Mercer.”
The name struck Gideon like a physical blow.
Daniel Mercer.
Former federal prosecutor.
Current legal adviser to Shore Enterprises.
A man Gideon had trusted with contracts, investigations, and sensitive financial records for nearly a decade.
Gideon's face hardened.
“Mercer?”
Tessa nodded.
“He knows about the files.”
“What files?”
She looked away.
“The ones I copied.”
Silence.
Gideon stared.
“You copied company records?”
Tessa nodded.
“Three years ago.”
“Why?”
Her eyes filled.
“Because I found out what he was doing.”
Gideon stepped closer.
May you like
“What was he doing?”
Tessa whispered, “Selling people.”
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