Chapter 7 - THE FATHER WHO WASN'T ALLOWED TO COME HOME
My father was alive.
I repeated those words silently throughout the entire drive to Connecticut.
My father is alive.
For twelve years, I'd believed he had abandoned our family.
Now Samuel Mercer was claiming Adrian had been hidden under federal protection.
Dante sat beside me in the back of his SUV.
He hadn't touched me without permission.
He hadn't promised impossible miracles.
He simply remained there.
And somehow, that was enough.
Samuel Mercer lived in a quiet residence surrounded by tall trees.
He was seventy-four, thin, and walked with a cane.
When he saw me, his eyes filled with tears.
"Catherine's daughter."
I nodded.
"My name is Elena."
He reached for my hand.
"You look just like her."
My throat tightened.
"Is my father really alive?"
Samuel closed his eyes.
"Yes."
"Then why didn't he come home?"
"Because the people he was investigating threatened your family."
I shook my head.
"He could have contacted us."
"He tried."
Samuel led us into a private sitting room.
Then he opened a locked drawer.
Inside were twelve envelopes.
Every envelope bore my name.
One for each birthday.
I stared.
"These are from Dad?"
Samuel nodded.
"He wrote to you every year."
My hands trembled.
"Why didn't I receive them?"
"Because sending them could have exposed where your family lived. The protection arrangements prohibited direct contact while the threat remained active."
Tears spilled down my cheeks.
I picked up the first envelope.
To my little girl on her twelfth birthday.
I opened it.
The handwriting was unfamiliar.
But the words broke my heart.
Elena, I hope you still sing when you're happy. Your mother tells me you used to sing while helping her cook.
I covered my mouth.
Samuel continued.
"Adrian wanted to return after the original investigation ended. But Catherine discovered the stolen charity accounts were still operating."
I looked up.
"Then why didn't the authorities stop them?"
"Because the people running them used false companies and protected intermediaries. The evidence was incomplete."
Dante leaned forward.
"Where is Adrian now?"
Samuel hesitated.
"He's been relocated several times."
"Can we contact his case officer?"
Samuel nodded.
"I can submit a request through his attorney."
My heart sank.
"So I can't see him?"
"Not immediately."
I wiped my tears.
"Then tell me something."
Samuel looked at me.
"Did he know Mom died?"
His face changed.
"Yes."
I swallowed.
"Did he know about Toby?"
Samuel's eyes filled.
"He knew your mother was pregnant when he entered protection."
I stared at him.
"So he knew he had a son."
"Yes."
My chest tightened.
Samuel reached for another folder.
"There is something Adrian asked me to give you if we ever met."
He placed a sealed letter on the table.
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother holding newborn Toby.
And beneath it, Dad had written:
If Elena ever finds me, tell her the man responsible for Catherine's death is still alive.
I looked at Samuel.
"Who?"
His face went pale.
May you like
He whispered a name.
"Gregory Hale."
