Chapter 15 - The Mercer Deception
Daniel Mercer summoned Elena to his company's office three days later.
She declined the invitation.
Instead, she sent a brief message stating that any questions concerning her service history or the use of her name should be directed through the appropriate formal channels.
Daniel called immediately.
“You're making a mistake,” he said.
“Then explain the document.”
“It was a preliminary draft.”
“It describes me as a technical consultant.”
“You gave me general advice about emergency equipment.”
“I never tested your product.”
“You know how these things work. Marketing language gets simplified.”
“Not when it falsely attributes professional approval to someone who never gave it.”
Daniel sighed impatiently.
“Your sister is caught in the middle of this. You need to think about the damage you're causing.”
“I am thinking about the damage. That's why I'm taking it seriously.”
He lowered his voice.
“Do you have any idea how much money is invested in this company?”
“That has nothing to do with me.”
“It will if the proposal collapses.”
Elena ended the call.
She forwarded the call details and related messages to Commander Bennett.
Meanwhile, Daniel's company issued a statement to its investors describing the disputed document as an administrative misunderstanding. The statement did not identify Elena by name, but it said the company had relied on informal professional discussions.
Elena's lawyer, whom she had consulted about protecting her reputation, advised her not to make public accusations while the facts remained under review.
She followed that advice.
At home, she continued organizing her records. She found a copy of an old email in which Daniel had asked her to introduce him to Navy officers.
Her response was brief:
I cannot recommend equipment I have not independently examined and tested.
The email was dated months before the fundraising event.
It was exactly the kind of contemporaneous record that could help establish what she had—and had not—agreed to do.
Elena forwarded it through the secure channel.
That evening, Marin called.
“You're trying to destroy Daniel's business.”
“No. I'm correcting a false impression about my involvement.”
“You could have handled this privately.”
“I tried handling things privately for five years. It didn't work.”
Marin's voice sharpened.
“You always think you're better than everyone.”
“No, Marin. I think people should be held responsible for what they say and do.”
Marin hung up.
Elena set the phone down.
The investigation would take time. It might conclude that the document had been created through negligence, deliberate misrepresentation, or an innocent administrative mistake.
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She would accept the findings when they were supported by evidence.
But she would not allow anyone to pressure her into withdrawing a truthful statement simply because the consequences were inconvenient.
