Chapter 16 - THE PENSIONS THEY USED AS HOSTAGESHale Metropolitan’s independent chairwoman, Rebecca Sloan, summoned Vincent to the company’s smaller Midtown headquarters.
Liberty had secretly purchased the debt supporting Hale’s pension fund. If Mercer demanded immediate repayment, retired drivers, maintenance workers, secretaries, and construction crews could lose much of their savings.
Rebecca placed photographs of elderly employees on the table.
“Expose Liberty now, and these people pay for your conscience.”
Vincent recognized the trap.
The wealthy had tied their protection to the survival of workers who had never entered a boardroom.
Outside, pensioners gathered after hearing rumors. Some begged Vincent to remain silent. Others shouted that displaced families had already sacrificed enough.
One retired elevator mechanic grabbed Vincent’s sleeve.
“My wife needs that pension to live.”
For the first time, Sophie saw victims standing against other victims while Mercer watched from a tower neither group could enter.
Laura proposed asking the court to freeze Liberty’s debt.
Rebecca lowered her voice.
“The judge assigned to the case invested in Mercer’s first housing fund.”
Before they could respond, Miles called Sophie.
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Police were searching his apartment.
And the laptop containing the original database was gone.
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