## CHAPTER 18 — NUMBER ZERO
Edmund entered the mansion using a silver cane.
Logan noticed Noah’s drawing immediately.
The man behind Evelyn had carried the same cane.
“You’re supposed to be in Switzerland,” Logan said.
“I was.”
“You’re supposed to be paralyzed.”
Edmund removed his gloves.
“Reports can be useful things.”
Detective Hale stepped forward.
“You are entering an active crime scene.”
“I own this estate.”
“No,” Logan said. “You transferred it to me nine years ago.”
Edmund smiled.
“Did I?”
He asked to see Noah.
Logan refused.
Edmund did not argue.
Instead, he entered the library and poured himself a drink as if returning from vacation.
“You have questions,” he said.
“Is Claire alive?”
“Yes.”
The answer came without hesitation.
Logan crossed the room and struck him.
Edmund fell against the desk.
Hale restrained Logan before he could hit him again.
“You let me bury an empty coffin.”
“I allowed you to survive.”
“Where is she?”
“With Evelyn, most likely.”
“What is Number Zero?”
Edmund wiped blood from his lip.
“The man who created the system but no longer controls it.”
“You experimented on your family.”
“I funded research.”
“You imprisoned Claire.”
“To protect Noah.”
Logan laughed in disbelief.
“Vanessa abused him under your orders.”
“Vanessa was not supposed to harm him.”
“You watched it happen.”
Edmund’s expression darkened.
“I lost access to the estate system eighteen months ago.”
“To whom?”
“Evelyn.”
Edmund claimed his daughter had taken control of the Board.
She believed the Mercer research could be used to expose corruption, predict betrayal, and control powerful people through their fears.
Claire disagreed.
That was why Evelyn kept her alive.
Claire’s genetic profile contained information Evelyn needed.
“And Elena?” Logan asked.
“Evelyn needs both sisters.”
“They’re not sisters.”
Edmund looked surprised.
“Elena told you that?”
“She’s your daughter.”
Edmund’s face changed for the first time.
“No.”
“You had an affair with her mother.”
“I knew her mother.”
“Then Elena is—”
“Not mine.”
Edmund lowered his voice.
“Elena Marquez is the daughter of the man who founded Facility Seven.”
Before Logan could ask another question, Noah appeared at the library entrance.
He stared at Edmund’s cane.
Then he began screaming.
Not crying.
Screaming.
He pointed toward the cane.
“She’s inside!”
Logan grabbed it from Edmund.
The silver handle opened.
Hidden inside was a tiny speaker.
A woman’s voice whispered from it.
May you like
“Noah, tell your father to come to the lake.”
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