Chapter 14 - AMBER'S FIRST CONFESSIONAmber sat alone in a federal detention interview room when Daniel Mercer entered carrying a folder.
She looked exhausted. Her expensive clothes had been replaced with a plain gray sweater, and the confidence that once defined her public appearances had vanished.
“Is Thomas safe?” she asked immediately.
“He and Noah are under protection.”
Amber released a breath she seemed to have been holding for days.
Daniel placed Margaret's photograph on the table.
“Your husband found the box.”
Amber closed her eyes.
“I was hoping he wouldn't have to.”
“Why did you hide it?”
“Because I knew Julian would search our house if he suspected I had kept anything from him.”
“Were you working with Julian?”
Amber's silence lasted several seconds.
“I was working under him. That's not the same thing.”
She explained that three years earlier, she had discovered irregularities in a major investment project. Julian had ordered her to approve transactions that appeared legitimate on paper but transferred money into accounts controlled by Sterling Meridian.
When she refused, he showed her documents proving that her signature had already been placed on several suspicious contracts.
He threatened to accuse her of embezzlement and destroy her career.
Then he threatened Thomas.
“He told me that if I went to the authorities, Thomas would be investigated, our assets would be frozen, and Noah would lose everything,” Amber said. “I believed him.”
“So you continued working for him.”
“I collected evidence. Quietly. I copied records, documented conversations, and searched for the original ledger my mother had mentioned.”
“Why didn't you tell your husband?”
Amber's eyes filled with tears.
“Because I was ashamed. Because I thought I could fix everything before he discovered what I had done. And because every day I waited made the truth harder to explain.”
Daniel studied her.
“Did you have a personal relationship with Julian Vance?”
Amber flinched.
“No. He wanted people to believe I was under his control in every possible way. He cultivated rumors because they made me easier to discredit. I never loved him, and I never chose him over Thomas.”
“Then why did you allow him to behave as if he owned you?”
“Because I thought keeping him close was the only way to obtain the evidence that could destroy him.”
Daniel closed the folder.
“Your testimony may help explain your conduct, but it doesn't automatically erase your responsibility for the documents you signed.”
“I understand.”
“Then tell me about the caterpillars.”
For the first time, Amber looked genuinely frightened.
“My mother used that word as a code. Every time she discovered a suspicious payment, she marked it with a tiny drawing of a caterpillar. She said caterpillars were perfect symbols for criminals who pretended to be harmless while preparing to become something else.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“Where is the original ledger?”
Amber swallowed.
“I don't know where it is now. But I know who took it.”
May you like
She looked directly at him.
“Richard Sterling's daughter, Victoria.”
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