Chapter 10: The Deal Marcus Offered
Marcus Hale had been in the custody of the financial crimes unit for less than two hours when he asked to speak to Victor directly.
The request was relayed through Patricia, who brought it to Victor at four in the afternoon.
"He says he has documents," she said.
"Originals.
He claims they establish Diana Voss's role in the medical record alteration.
He says he kept them specifically because he didn't trust Serena."
"What does he want?"
"Reduced exposure.
He's not asking for immunity — his attorney talked him out of that.
He's asking for cooperation credit and a cap on civil liability."
Victor looked at her.
"Does he actually have what he says he has?"
"The unit's investigator believes so.
Marcus is too specific about the contents to be bluffing." Patricia sat down.
"Victor, if the documents are real, they close the Claire question.
They establish the full chain — Diana's access, the alteration, the timing, the connection to Serena's approach to you afterward."
"And Marcus's role in all of it?"
"He was the financial architect.
The shell company, the property transfer, the loan structure.
He helped them build the mechanism to extract from your estate once Serena was legally positioned." She paused.
"He says he didn't know about the medical records until after Claire d*ed.
He says when he found out what Diana had done, he kept the documents as leverage over Serena — in case he ever needed to separate himself from the worst of it."
"Do you believe him?"
Patricia considered.
"I believe he's scared.
And I believe the documents exist.
Whether his version of events is entirely true—" She opened her hands.
"That's for the criminal process."
Victor stood at the window.
"Tell them I'll accept the cooperation," he said.
"But I want the originals in Patricia Cho's hands before any agreement is signed.
Not copies.
Originals."
"Understood."
"And Patricia — when this is done, I want Serena charged separately.
Whatever Marcus gives them, it doesn't reduce what she did to Ethan.
That stands alone."
"It will," she said.
"Child endangerment doesn't disappear because the fraud case is resolved.
Those are separate tracks."
"Good."
Patricia stood to leave.
"One more thing," Victor said.
"Lily.
Is she all right?"
Patricia paused.
"I spoke to Rosa this morning.
Lily is home.
She's resting."
"I'd like her to know — when she's ready — that her position is here if she wants it.
Full terms, her choice of schedule, whatever she needs." He turned from the window.
"She protected my son when I wasn't there.
That doesn't get forgotten."
Patricia nodded.
"I'll make sure she knows."
She left.
Victor stayed at the window.
The afternoon light was fading.
The garden below was still — the same garden where Claire had stood in the photograph in his drawer.
The same gravel path.
The same stone bench near the far wall.
He thought about the charity event eighteen months ago.
Serena across the room, warm and unhurried, waiting to be introduced.
He thought about how long they must have watched him before that evening.
How carefully they had chosen the moment.
His phone rang.
Grant.
"Diana Voss's attorney has contacted the unit," Grant said.
"She's prepared to make a statement.
She's asking for a meeting tomorrow morning."
"She's going to give them Serena," Victor said.
"That's what it looks like."
Victor exhaled slowly.
"Let them meet."
May you like
He ended the call and stood quietly for another moment.
Then he went upstairs to give Ethan his bath, because it was that time of day, and because some things needed to keep being ordinary.
