I had already scheduled a meeting with Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sterling.

I had planted the seeds of the investigation yesterday.

Once the federal investigators knocked on Mercer’s door, he would break.

He would tell them everything Eleanor had paid him to do to protect his own skin.

“You are going to prison, Mother,” I said softly.

Eleanor’s hand went to her throat, her fingers clutching her pearl necklace.

“You wouldn’t dare destroy this family,” she whispered.

“You destroyed this family eight years ago,” I said.

Celeste backed away toward the door, her eyes darting between my mother and me.

She was realizing that she had aligned herself with a sinking ship.

“Adrian, I had nothing to do with what your mother did back then,” Celeste said, her voice rising in panic. “I didn’t know about the medical records. You have to believe me.”

“You knew enough to use it against me tonight,” I said. “You’re done, Celeste. My lawyers will deliver the divorce papers in the morning.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.