Chapter 4 - THE COMPOUND
By noon, an independent lab confirmed that Hale's drops contained a modified version of the abandoned trial compound.
Not enough to destroy Grant's eyes quickly.
Enough to keep them irritated, light-sensitive, and unresponsive.
"Someone wanted the damage to look stable," Voss said.
Grant stood at the edge of his desk, one hand resting on the wood.
"For five years?"
"That's what the refill history suggests."
There was no refill history under Grant's name.
The compound had been purchased through a research foundation called North Light Medical.
Daniel searched corporate records.
"North Light is funded by three private trusts. One belongs to Hale. One is anonymous."
"Third?" Grant asked.
Daniel did not answer.
"Daniel."
"Mercer Family Charitable Trust."
Grant's uncle Malcolm controlled that trust.
Malcolm Mercer had served as acting chairman during Grant's recovery after Pier 17. He had helped arrange Caroline and Emma's funerals. He still chaired the family foundation and called every Sunday whether Grant answered or not.
Grant picked up the desk phone.
Daniel caught his wrist.
"Don't."
Few men alive would touch him like that.
Daniel released him.
"If Malcolm is involved, calling tells him we know."
Hannah entered carrying a tray.
"Mr. Mercer? Someone was in my room."
Grant turned.
"What was taken?"
"Nothing I can see. But Lucy's flashlight was on the floor, and I left it in my bag."
Grant's security team checked cameras.
One corridor had gone dark for nine minutes.
Daniel cursed.
Grant said, "Who controls internal cameras?"
"Security chief Aaron Pike."
"Bring him."
Before Pike arrived, Hannah found something tucked beneath Lucy's pillow.
A folded note.
STOP ASKING WHAT HE CAN SEE.
Hannah's face drained.
Lucy climbed onto the bed and pointed at the handwriting.
"That's the doctor man's letters."
Hannah looked at Grant.
"She's seen Hale write before."
Grant took the note.
May you like
Then the mansion alarm sounded.
Someone had just forced open the old east gate.
