Chapter 3 - The Broken Alliance

Evelyn Mercer did not expect me to show up at her penthouse apartment at 8:00 PM. When she opened the door, she was holding a glass of scotch, her eyes bloodshot. The arrogant woman from the hospital corridor was gone, replaced by a terrified conspirator.

"Claire," she gasped, trying to slam the door.

I caught it with the toe of my Christian Louboutin pump. "Let me in, Evelyn, or the police officers waiting at the lobby desk will come up instead."

She panicked, stepping back to let me pass. The apartment was lavish, filled with original artwork and Italian marble.

"You can't prove anything," Evelyn hissed, her hands trembling as she set her glass down. "Daniel is dead to the world. If you drag this out, the bank will seize everything, including your assets. You signed the indemnity clauses!"

"I signed those clauses as a surviving spouse based on fraudulent death certificates provided by you and the medical examiner you bribed," I said, sitting down gracefully on her pristine white sofa. "I've already run the audit, Evelyn. I know about Nautilus Consulting. I know about David Miller."

She dropped to her knees, her poise shattering completely. "It was all Daniel's idea! He was in debt to some very dangerous people five years ago. He said it was the only way to save us. He promised he would come back for me once the dust settled!"

"And he did," I said coldly. "He came back, took the money, and used it to buy a luxury life with a woman half his age while you played the grieving mother. Did you know he bought a three-million-dollar estate in Cape Cod last month under the David Miller name? He didn't put your name on the deed, Evelyn."

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Evelyn froze. The realization hit her like a physical blow. "What?"

"He lied to me, and he’s bleeding you dry," I said, sliding a manila folder onto the coffee table. "Those are the transfer records. He's phasing out Nautilus Consulting. In three months, the money trail stops, and you’ll be left holding the bag for the IRS. Unless... you help me."