The Family Behind the Airport
Chapter 06 - The Family Behind the Airport
Evan Mercer was not the highest name in the notebook.
His father, Charles Mercer, chaired the Northbridge Airport Authority for twenty-eight years. Charles approved the construction of Hangar 317, Warehouse 9, and the private freight tunnel linking the airport to an industrial rail yard.
Thomas Ellis had documented payments from airlines, customs brokers, private security firms, and politicians.
The Mercers sold access to luggage and passenger data.
Michael discovered the operation by accident.
Charles ordered the hangar fire.
Evan handled the cover-up.
But Thomas’s notebook showed a third Mercer account controlled by someone identified only as “E.M.”
Evan had no sibling.
His mother, Eleanor Mercer, died when he was ten.
At least, that was the official story.
Margaret looked at the initials.
“Eleanor was my sister.”
Clara stared at her.
Margaret explained that Eleanor tried to leave Charles after discovering the smuggling network. She disappeared during a flight to Canada.
Charles told the family she died in a small-plane crash.
No wreckage was found.
Thomas spent years investigating privately.
The notebook’s final entry stated:
ELEANOR CONTROLS THE EMERGENCY ARCHIVE. EVAN DOES NOT KNOW.
If Eleanor was alive, she had been moving money through the network while Evan believed he controlled it.
Lena traced the account to Saint Matthew’s Rehabilitation Center.
The center caring for Michael was funded by the same hidden trust.
Clara felt hope collapse into suspicion.
Had Michael been protected there?
Or imprisoned?
Before they could answer, hospital security called.
The missing patient had returned.
May you like
Michael walked into the emergency entrance alone, carrying a black suitcase.
He asked for Clara.
