Chapter 17 - THE MAN BEHIND THE GLASSJulian Vance requested a meeting with Daniel Mercer.
He arrived in federal custody wearing a plain suit, his silver-streaked hair still carefully arranged. Without his tailored offices and admiring colleagues, he looked smaller than Thomas remembered.
“I want immunity,” Julian said.
Daniel did not sit.
“You are facing serious charges. You don't get to dictate terms.”
“Then you'll never reach Richard Sterling.”
“You can start by explaining the financial records.”
Julian glanced toward Thomas, who had been allowed to attend as a potential witness.
“Your wife was clever,” he said. “Too clever for her own good.”
Thomas stepped forward.
“Don't talk about Amber.”
Julian smiled faintly.
“You still believe she was protecting you? She was protecting herself. She wanted to expose us and emerge as the hero.”
“Perhaps she made mistakes,” Thomas replied. “But at least she's willing to admit them.”
For the first time, Julian's smile disappeared.
He explained that Richard Sterling had created a network of shell companies to divert corporate funds, bribe officials, and conceal losses from investors. Julian managed the transactions, while Victoria oversaw the accounts that moved money through supposedly charitable foundations.
Margaret Hale had discovered the original records and threatened to report them.
“Richard wanted the problem contained,” Julian said. “I was told to recover the documents and make certain she couldn't use them.”
“Did you arrange her accident?” Daniel asked.
Julian stared at the table.
“I arranged for someone to frighten her. I did not order her death.”
“Who did?”
“I don't know what happened after the contractor contacted her.”
Thomas clenched his fists, but Daniel raised a hand, reminding him to remain calm.
Julian continued.
“Victoria kept the original ledger. She told us it had been destroyed, but I never believed her. She kept copies of everything because she wanted leverage over her father.”
“Why send the anonymous letter to Thomas?” Daniel asked.
Julian hesitated.
“I didn't.”
Thomas studied him.
“Then who did?”
Julian leaned closer to the table.
“Someone who wants Richard Sterling arrested before he can destroy the remaining evidence. Someone inside his organization who knows where Victoria keeps the ledger.”
“Who?”
Julian looked toward the observation window.
“Evelyn Shaw.”
Daniel immediately ordered agents to locate the former accountant.
But Evelyn had already disappeared from her registered address.
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On her kitchen table, investigators found a single handwritten note.
The original ledger must be exposed before the Sterling family makes it disappear forever.
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