Chapter 6 - THE FAMILY MEETING
Robert called a family meeting for Saturday afternoon.
Daniel refused to attend until Michael advised him that the gathering could provide an opportunity to hear what the Mercers were willing to say in front of witnesses.
They agreed to meet at Robert's office, a glass-fronted building overlooking downtown Austin.
Daniel brought Michael.
Robert brought Linda, Rebecca, and his attorney.
The atmosphere was tense from the moment they entered the conference room.
Robert stood at the head of the table.
“We're here to resolve a misunderstanding.”
Daniel remained standing.
“My daughter was injured. There is no misunderstanding about that.”
Rebecca folded her arms.
“She's fine now.”
Daniel turned toward her.
“You don't get to decide how serious it was.”
Robert raised a hand.
“Enough. This meeting concerns the property.”
Michael placed the proposed transfer documents on the table.
“Then let's begin with a simple question. Why is Daniel being asked to transfer his personal home to a company connected to your business?”
Robert's attorney adjusted his glasses.
“The proposed transaction was exploratory. No completed transfer exists.”
“Then there should be no difficulty withdrawing the proposal,” Michael replied.
Robert's face reddened.
“The house would serve as temporary security.”
“For what debt?” Daniel asked.
Silence.
Robert glanced at his attorney.
The attorney spoke carefully.
“Our client is not prepared to discuss confidential financing arrangements in this meeting.”
“Then why did you demand my property?”
Robert leaned forward.
“Because your father promised to help this family.”
“My father explicitly excluded the house from his loan agreements.”
Daniel placed the authenticated copy of the agreement on the table.
Robert stared at it.
For the first time, he looked genuinely shaken.
“Where did you get that?”
“From my father's records.”
“That document is incomplete.”
“Then show us the complete version.”
Robert's attorney examined the pages and requested a private discussion with his client.
Michael agreed to a brief recess.
Outside the conference room, he told Daniel that Robert's reaction was significant but not conclusive.
“He may be surprised by the document, or he may be concerned about what it reveals. We still need independent authentication and the financial records.”
Daniel nodded.
When they returned, Linda was crying.
“You have no idea what we've been going through,” she said. “Robert built this family. Everything we have is because of him.”
Daniel looked at her.
“And what did Lily do to deserve being locked away?”
Linda lowered her eyes.
“I didn't know Rebecca would hurt her.”
“You knew Rebecca wanted the house.”
“I thought it was a family arrangement.”
“Did you know about the lender?”
Linda said nothing.
Daniel's voice softened, but his expression remained firm.
“Linda, I need you to tell the truth. Not to protect Robert. Not to protect Rebecca. To protect yourself.”
She looked at her husband.
Robert's expression was a warning.
Linda turned away.
“I can't.”
Rebecca slammed her hand against the table.
“This is ridiculous! Daniel could have solved everything by signing one piece of paper!”
Michael looked directly at her.
“Then explain what would have happened after he signed.”
Rebecca's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Robert stood abruptly.
“This meeting is over.”
But before anyone could leave, his attorney received a phone call. He listened for several seconds, then covered the microphone.
“Robert, we have a problem.”
Robert's face tightened.
“What problem?”
“The lender has suspended the proposed transaction pending verification of the collateral.”
Daniel felt the room change.
The attorney continued.
“They've requested the original agreement and confirmation that the property owner consented to the transfer.”
Robert sat down slowly.
For years, he had spoken as though the house belonged to him.
Now an outside party was asking for proof.
And he didn't have it.
Michael collected the documents.
“We'll respond through counsel. Until then, Daniel will not sign anything.”
As they reached the elevator, Linda hurried after them.
“Daniel, please.”
He turned.
She looked exhausted.
“Your father-in-law isn't the only person who will suffer if this collapses.”
“Who else?”
Linda glanced back toward the conference room.
Then she whispered, “Rebecca.”
Daniel waited for an explanation.
Linda couldn't give one.
Instead, she pressed a folded piece of paper into his hand.
“Your father left something with me years ago. I should have returned it.”
Before Daniel could respond, she hurried away.
Inside the elevator, Daniel unfolded the paper.
It contained an address and a handwritten message.
Ask Robert about the night your father refused to sign.
Beneath it was another sentence.
Rebecca was there.
Daniel looked at Michael.
The meeting had raised more questions than it answered.
And for the first time, he wondered whether Rebecca's cruelty toward Lily had been more than an attempt to frighten him.
Perhaps she had been terrified herself.
May you like
Perhaps the deed was connected to something that happened years ago.
Something the Mercers had spent a long time trying to conceal.
