I think I had used up that version of myself in the river.
Then Adrian signed an affidavit declaring that I was missing and “reasonably presumed deceased.”
He knew rescue crews had not found my body.
He signed anyway.
Next came the emergency sale authorization for the Evermere River terminal.
He picked up the pen.
That was when Mercer Holdings’ general counsel entered the room.
Adrian looked irritated.
“You’re late.”
The attorney closed the door.
“I was waiting for confirmation.”
“Of what?”
He placed a document on the table.
A temporary court order freezing the transaction.
Adrian stared.
Vanessa went pale.
“What is this?”
“Asset-protection order.”
“On whose request?”
The attorney looked directly at Adrian.
“Elena Mercer’s.”
Silence.
Adrian actually laughed.
“That’s impossible.”
Then his phone rang.
My name appeared on the screen.
He stared at it.
I watched through the camera.
He answered slowly.
“Elena?”
I said:
“Hi, Adrian.”
He stood so quickly the chair struck the wall.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
“You’re alive.”
“Apparently.”
“How?”
“That question seems more useful for police than me.”
His face changed.
“Elena, listen.”
“No.”
“I thought—”
“You thought I was dead because you watched me disappear into Evermere River.”
Vanessa whispered:
“Hang up.”
I heard her.
“So did you, Vanessa.”
My sister froze.
“Elena—”
“I saw you on the bank.”
Silence.
