Chapter 6: The Daughter Ada Left Behind
“Get Lucy out of that room!””
Daniel's Left Behind
“Get Lucy out of that room!””
Daniel's voice tore through the mansion.
The security manager immediately spoke into his radio.
“Team voice tore through the mansion.
The security manager immediately spoke into his radio.
“Team One, secure the second floor. Team Two, lock down the east wing One, secure the second floor. Team Two, lock down the east wing. Nobody enters or leaves without my authorization.””
Daniel ran. Nobody enters or leaves without my authorization.””
Daniel ran up the staircase with Evelyn in his arms.
Gloria followed, up the staircase with Evelyn in his arms.
Gloria followed, struggling to keep pace.
“Daniel, wait!””
He reached Lucy's bedroom and threw open the door.
The struggling to keep pace.
“Daniel, wait!””
He reached Lucy's bedroom and threw open the door.
The bed was empty.
Her rabbit lay on the floor.
The curtains moved in the cold draft from an bed was empty.
Her rabbit lay on the floor.
The curtains moved in the cold draft from an open window.
Daniel rushed to the window.
Outside, the garden dropped toward open window.
Daniel rushed to the window.
Outside, the garden dropped toward the old stone wall. A narrow service path ran beside the greenhouse, disappearing the old stone wall. A narrow service path ran beside the greenhouse, disappearing behind a row of trees.
“Lucy!””
His shout echoed across the grounds behind a row of trees.
“Lucy!””
His shout echoed across the grounds.
No answer.
Evelyn buried her face against his shoulder.
“Ruth took her.””
Daniel turned toward.
No answer.
Evelyn buried her face against his shoulder.
“Ruth took her.””
Daniel turned toward the hallway.
Ruth was gone.
So was the security guard who had been stationed near the hallway.
Ruth was gone.
So was the security guard who had been stationed near the east wing.
Daniel's hands shook as the east wing.
Daniel's hands shook as he called the police again.
“Six-year-old girl missing from the Mercer estate. he called the police again.
“Six-year-old girl missing from the Mercer estate. Suspect is a woman named Ruth Mercer. She may be Suspect is a woman named Ruth Mercer.
She may be accompanied by a second adult. Send everyone you have.””
He accompanied by a second adult. Send everyone you have.””
He gave the address, described Lucy's clothing, and ended the call.
Then he looked at Evelyn gave the address, described Lucy's clothing, and ended the call.
Then he looked at Evelyn.
“Sweetheart, I need you to tell me something. Does Ruth have.
“Sweetheart, I need you to tell me something. Does Ruth have another way out of this house?””
Evelyn nodded.
“The another way out of this house?””
Evelyn nodded.
“The old laundry tunnel.””
Gloria stopped dead.
“How do old laundry tunnel.””
Gloria stopped dead.
“How do you know about that?””
Evelyn looked at her.
“Mommy showed me.””
Gl you know about that?””
Evelyn looked at her.
“Mommy showed me.””
Gloria covered her mouth.
Daniel crouched.
“Can you show me whereoria covered her mouth.
Daniel crouched.
“Can you show me where it is?””
Evelyn pointed toward the servants' staircase.
“Behind the washing machines. There's a door that it is?””
Evelyn pointed toward the servants' staircase.
“Behind the washing machines. There's a door that goes under the house.””
Daniel handed Evelyn to Gloria.
“Stay here with her. Don't open goes under the house.””
Daniel handed Evelyn to Gloria.
“Stay here with her. Don't open the door for anyone except the police.””
His mother grabbed his wrist.
“Daniel, the door for anyone except the police.””
His mother grabbed his wrist.
“Daniel, please. If Michael is here, you mustn't go alone.””
“Lucy is please. If Michael is here, you mustn't go alone.””
“Lucy is alone.””
He pulled free and ran.
The laundry room smelled of soap and damp stone alone.””
He pulled free and ran.
The laundry room smelled of soap and damp stone. Daniel shoved aside two industrial washing machines, revealing a narrow wooden door with a rusted handle.
It was unlocked. Daniel shoved aside two industrial washing machines, revealing a narrow wooden door with a rusted handle.
It was unlocked.
Beyond it, stone steps descended into darkness.
He switched.
Beyond it, stone steps descended into darkness.
He switched on his phone light.
Fresh footprints marked the dusty floor.
Small ones.
Lucy’s.
Daniel followed on his phone light.
Fresh footprints marked the dusty floor.
Small ones.
Lucy’s.
Daniel followed them.
The tunnel opened onto a disused carriage house them.
The tunnel opened onto a disused carriage house beyond the garden wall. Rain blew through a broken window, scattering leaves across the floor.
A single beyond the garden wall. Rain blew through a broken window, scattering leaves across the floor.
A single lamp burned near the far door.
Ruth stood beneath it.
Lucy sat on a wooden chair beside lamp burned near the far door.
Ruth stood beneath it.
Lucy sat on a wooden chair beside her, crying quietly.
And a tall man in a dark coat stood near her, crying quietly.
And a tall man in a dark coat stood near the exit.
Michael Vale.
Daniel stopped at the sight of his daughter.
“Lucy the exit.
Michael Vale.
Daniel stopped at the sight of his daughter.
“Lucy!””
She twisted toward him.
“Daddy!””
Ruth caught her shoulder.
“Stay!””
She twisted toward him.
“Daddy!””
Ruth caught her shoulder.
“Stay where you are.””
Lucy whimpered.
Daniel's entire where you are.””
Lucy whimpered.
Daniel's entire body tensed.
“Take your hand off my daughter.””
Michael stepped forward.
“Daniel body tensed.
“Take your hand off my daughter.””
Michael stepped forward.
“Daniel, let's be reasonable.””
“You have my daughter. You have, let's be reasonable.””
“You have my daughter. You have a child you've apparently spent years trying to find. And you expect me to be a child you've apparently spent years trying to find. And you expect me to be reasonable?””
Michael adjusted his cuff.
“I'm trying to prevent a reasonable?””
Michael adjusted his cuff.
“I'm trying to prevent a tragedy.””
“Then release Lucy.””
“Bring Evelyn here.””
“No.””
Michael sighed tragedy.””
“Then release Lucy.””
“Bring Evelyn here.””
“No.””
Michael sighed as though Daniel were being unnecessarily difficult.
“You've been lied to, Daniel. By your as though Daniel were being unnecessarily difficult.
“You've been lied to, Daniel. By your wife. By your mother. By Ada herself.””
“Maybe. But I know my daughter is frightened, wife. By your mother. By Ada herself.””
“Maybe. But I know my daughter is frightened, and you're standing between her and safety.””
Michael glanced at Ruth.
She gave a small nod.
and you're standing between her and safety.””
Michael glanced at Ruth.
She gave a small nod.
He turned back.
“Evelyn is my biological daughter. I haveHe turned back.
“Evelyn is my biological daughter. I have a right to know her.””
“You had years to find her without threatening children.””
a right to know her.””
“You had years to find her without threatening children.””
“Ada stole her from me.””
“Ada was trying to protect her.””
“From“Ada stole her from me.””
“Ada was trying to protect her.””
“From what?””
Daniel stared at him.
“From you.””
Michael's expression what?””
Daniel stared at him.
“From you.””
Michael's expression hardened.
“You have no idea what happened between Ada and me.””
“Then explain it.””
Michael glanced at hardened.
“You have no idea what happened between Ada and me.””
“Then explain it.””
Michael glanced at Lucy.
“Not in front of the child.””
“Lucy stays with me. Lucy.
“Not in front of the child.””
“Lucy stays with me. Now.””
Ruth laughed.
“You still think you can give Now.””
Ruth laughed.
“You still think you can give orders to everyone.””
She leaned down toward Lucy.
“Tell orders to everyone.””
She leaned down toward Lucy.
“Tell your father what happens if he refuses to cooperate.””
Lucy shook her head.
“Please don't your father what happens if he refuses to cooperate.””
Lucy shook her head.
“Please don't make me.””
Ruth gripped the back of make me.””
Ruth gripped the back of the chair.
“Tell him.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Ruth, let her the chair.
“Tell him.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Ruth, let her go.””
“You've always chosen her,” go.””
“You've always chosen her,” Ruth spat.
“Every time. Even when she lies. Even when she ruins everything.””
“She Ruth spat.
“Every time. Even when she lies. Even when she ruins everything.””
“She is six years old!””
“And Evelyn is a problem that should have been solved years ago.””
Michael raised his is six years old!””
“And Evelyn is a problem that should have been solved years ago.””
Michael raised his hand.
“Enough, Ruth.””
She turned toward him.
“Don't tell me what to do. I hand.
“Enough, Ruth.””
She turned toward him.
“Don't tell me what to do. I kept your daughter alive. I kept her hidden.
I did kept your daughter alive. I kept her hidden. I did everything you asked.””
Michael's expression changed.
“Everything?””
Ruth fell everything you asked.””
Michael's expression changed.
“Everything?””
Ruth fell silent.
Daniel noticed the shift.
“What is she talking about?””
Michael looked away.
R silent.
Daniel noticed the shift.
“What is she talking about?””
Michael looked away.
Ruth's eyes widened.
“You promised you'd protect me.””
“I promised you'duth's eyes widened.
“You promised you'd protect me.””
“I promised you'd be compensated.””
The words landed like a slap.
For the first time, Ruth looked genuinely be compensated.””
The words landed like a slap.
For the first time, Ruth looked genuinely betrayed.
“You said we'd leave together.””
Michael gave a humorless laugh.
“You betrayed.
“You said we'd leave together.””
Michael gave a humorless laugh.
“You imagined a future that was never offered.””
Ruth's face crumpled.
Daniel imagined a future that was never offered.””
Ruth's face crumpled.
Daniel had spent years believing his wife was incapable of caring about anyone but herself. Now he saw something even ugl had spent years believing his wife was incapable of caring about anyone but herself. Now he saw something even uglier: she had been willing to destroy children for a man who regarded her as disposable.
But understandingier: she had been willing to destroy children for a man who regarded her as disposable.
But understanding her did not excuse her.
“Let Lucy go,” Daniel repeated.
Michael moved her did not excuse her.
“Let Lucy go,” Daniel repeated.
Michael moved closer to Ruth.
“Give me Evelyn, and we can all walk away closer to Ruth.
“Give me Evelyn, and we can all walk away from this.””
“No.””
“Think carefully.””
“I have.””
Michael's voice dropped.
“Then you should know from this.””
“No.””
“Think carefully.””
“I have.””
Michael's voice dropped.
“Then you should know what Ada discovered before she died.””
Daniel's heart what Ada discovered before she died.””
Daniel's heart pounded.
“What did she discover?””
Michael smiled faintly.
“That Evelyn wasn't pounded.
“What did she discover?””
Michael smiled faintly.
“That Evelyn wasn't the only child she had been protecting.””
Daniel froze.
Ruth looked toward the only child she had been protecting.””
Daniel froze.
Ruth looked toward the floor.
Michael continued.
“Ada had discovered that several children were being moved between the floor.
Michael continued.
“Ada had discovered that several children were being moved between private residences under false guardianship documents. Wealthy families paid to make private residences under false guardianship documents. Wealthy families paid to make inconvenient histories disappear. Birth records were altered.
Children were renamed. Some were placed with inconvenient histories disappear. Birth records were altered.
Children were renamed. Some were placed with new families. Others were hidden until they could be used as leverage.””
Daniel felt sick.
“And you were involved.””
new families. Others were hidden until they could be used as leverage.””
Daniel felt sick.
“And you were involved.””
“I helped arrange some of the placements.””
“Some?””
Michael's face tightened.
“Ada wanted to“I helped arrange some of the placements.””
“Some?””
Michael's face tightened.
“Ada wanted to expose everyone involved. She had documents, recordings, and names. She believed expose everyone involved.
She had documents, recordings, and names. She believed she could bring down the entire network.””
“What happened to her?””
Michael didn't answer.
Daniel she could bring down the entire network.””
“What happened to her?””
Michael didn't answer.
Daniel stepped forward.
“What happened to my wife?””
Ruth suddenly stepped forward.
“What happened to my wife?””
Ruth suddenly spoke.
“She was going to destroy us.””
Michael turned sharply.
“Be spoke.
“She was going to destroy us.””
Michael turned sharply.
“Be quiet.””
“No!”” Ruth screamed.
“I'm done protecting quiet.””
“No!”” Ruth screamed.
“I'm done protecting you!””
She pointed at him.
“You told me Ada was dying you!””
She pointed at him.
“You told me Ada was dying anyway. You said the medication changes wouldn't matter. You said nobody would question anyway.
You said the medication changes wouldn't matter. You said nobody would question the records.””
Daniel felt the room tilt.
Michael's face became murderous.
“Ruth the records.””
Daniel felt the room tilt.
Michael's face became murderous.
“Ruth, shut your mouth.””
She laughed through her, shut your mouth.””
She laughed through her tears.
“You used me. You made me believe that if I helped tears.
“You used me. You made me believe that if I helped you, we'd have a life together. But all you, we'd have a life together. But all you wanted was Evelyn.””
Daniel looked at Michael.
“Did you change you wanted was Evelyn.””
Daniel looked at Michael.
“Did you change Ada's medication?””
Michael's silence was enough to chill the room.
Then a Ada's medication?””
Michael's silence was enough to chill the room.
Then a loud crash sounded from the tunnel entrance.
“POL loud crash sounded from the tunnel entrance.
“POLICE! PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!””
Michael bolICE! PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!””
Michael bolted toward the exit.
A uniformed officer appeared in the doorway, followed by two moreted toward the exit.
A uniformed officer appeared in the doorway, followed by two more.
Michael raised his hands, but his eyes remained fixed on.
Michael raised his hands, but his eyes remained fixed on Daniel.
“You think this is over?””
Daniel moved toward Lucy.
“It's over for you.””
The officers Daniel.
“You think this is over?””
Daniel moved toward Lucy.
“It's over for you.””
The officers restrained Michael and ordered Ruth to step away from the child.
Ruth didn't restrained Michael and ordered Ruth to step away from the child.
Ruth didn't move.
She stared at Lucy as though she were seeing her for the first time.
move.
She stared at Lucy as though she were seeing her for the first time.
“You ruined everything,” she whispered.
Lucy began to cry.
Daniel reached her“You ruined everything,” she whispered.
Lucy began to cry.
Daniel reached her in two strides, lifted her from in two strides, lifted her from the chair, and held her tightly.
“No, sweetheart. the chair, and held her tightly.
“No, sweetheart. You didn't ruin anything.””
Lucy wrapped both arms around his neck.
“I was scared, Daddy.””
“I know.””
“I tried You didn't ruin anything.””
Lucy wrapped both arms around his neck.
“I was scared, Daddy.””
“I know.””
“I tried to be good.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“You never had to be perfect to deserve protection to be good.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“You never had to be perfect to deserve protection.””
He carried her toward the officers.
Behind him, Ruth began.””
He carried her toward the officers.
Behind him, Ruth began shouting.
She accused Michael of betrayal. She accused Gloria shouting.
She accused Michael of betrayal. She accused Gloria of lying. She accused Daniel of destroying her life.
But nobody listened.
As the officers led her of lying. She accused Daniel of destroying her life.
But nobody listened.
As the officers led her away, she turned one last time.
“Daniel! Ask your away, she turned one last time.
“Daniel! Ask your mother who the other girl is!””
He stopped.
Ruth smiled through mother who the other girl is!””
He stopped.
Ruth smiled through her tears.
“Ask her why Ada called her daughter by a different her tears.
“Ask her why Ada called her daughter by a different name.””
Then she disappeared through the doorway.
Daniel returned to the mansion name.””
Then she disappeared through the doorway.
Daniel returned to the mansion with Lucy in his arms.
Gloria was waiting in the entrance hall, holding Evelyn close. with Lucy in his arms.
Gloria was waiting in the entrance hall, holding Evelyn close. The moment Lucy saw her, she reached out.
“E The moment Lucy saw her, she reached out.
“Evelyn?””
The older girl stepped forward cautiously.
Lucy slidvelyn?””
The older girl stepped forward cautiously.
Lucy slid from Daniel's arms and walked toward her.
“Are you the girl Mommy from Daniel's arms and walked toward her.
“Are you the girl Mommy kept in the garden?””
Evelyn nodded.
Lucy kept in the garden?””
Evelyn nodded.
Lucy held out her rabbit.
“You can have him. He helps when you're held out her rabbit.
“You can have him. He helps when you're scared.””
Evelyn stared at the toy.
Then she took it.
The two girls stood together beneath scared.””
Evelyn stared at the toy.
Then she took it.
The two girls stood together beneath the hall chandelier, their dark hair falling across their faces, both looking the hall chandelier, their dark hair falling across their faces, both looking far too young to understand the secrets the adults had built around far too young to understand the secrets the adults had built around them.
Daniel turned toward his mother.
“Now tell me the truth.””
them.
Daniel turned toward his mother.
“Now tell me the truth.””
Gloria sat down heavily on the stairs.
“I'veGloria sat down heavily on the stairs.
“I've been afraid of this moment for six years.””
“Who is the other girl?””
Gloria looked at Evelyn.
Then at Lucy.
Finally, she spoke.
been afraid of this moment for six years.””
“Who is the other girl?””
Gloria looked at Evelyn.
Then at Lucy.
Finally, she spoke.
“Ada had three children.””
Daniel stared at her.
“Three?””
“Lucy“Ada had three children.””
Daniel stared at her.
“Three?””
“Lucy was the youngest. Evelyn was the oldest. And the middle child was taken from was the youngest.
Evelyn was the oldest. And the middle child was taken from the estate before Ada died.””
Daniel felt his throat tighten.
“ the estate before Ada died.””
Daniel felt his throat tighten.
“Who was she?””
Gloria reached into her handbag and withdrew a photograph.
It showed Ada standing beside a womanWho was she?””
Gloria reached into her handbag and withdrew a photograph.
It showed Ada standing beside a woman Daniel had never met, holding a newborn baby.
On the back, Ada had Daniel had never met, holding a newborn baby.
On the back, Ada had written a name.
*SOPHIE.*
Gloria's voice broke.
“She was Ada's middle written a name.
*SOPHIE.*
Gloria's voice broke.
“She was Ada's middle daughter. Her father was my son.””
Daniel stared at her.
For daughter. Her father was my son.””
Daniel stared at her.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he looked at Lucy.
At several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he looked at Lucy.
At Evelyn.
At the photograph.
“Mother,” he whispered, “what are you saying?””
Gloria began to cry.
“Sophie was your Evelyn.
At the photograph.
“Mother,” he whispered, “what are you saying?””
Gloria began to cry.
“Sophie was your daughter, Daniel.””
The hall fell silent.
Daniel looked down at his silver daughter, Daniel.””
The hall fell silent.
Daniel looked down at his silver watch.
The same watch Ada had mentioned in her final letter.
The same watch Evelyn had been watch.
The same watch Ada had mentioned in her final letter.
The same watch Evelyn had been told to look for.
He remembered Ada's final days. The way she'd held his hand and told to look for.
He remembered Ada's final days. The way she'd held his hand and asked him to promise that he would always protect their children.
He had asked him to promise that he would always protect their children.
He had believed she meant Lucy.
Now he understood.
She had meant all of them.
“Where believed she meant Lucy.
Now he understood.
She had meant all of them.
“Where is Sophie?”” he asked.
Gloria wiped her cheeks.
“I don't know.””
“Who took her?””
Gl is Sophie?”” he asked.
Gloria wiped her cheeks.
“I don't know.””
“Who took her?””
Gloria looked toward the police cars outside.
“Ruth arranged it. But she didn't act alone.””
Daniel's phone vibrated.
oria looked toward the police cars outside.
“Ruth arranged it. But she didn't act alone.””
Daniel's phone vibrated.
An officer had sent him a photograph recovered from Michael's car.
ItAn officer had sent him a photograph recovered from Michael's car.
It showed a young woman standing outside a small house in another state.
She looked to be in her early twenties.
She had Ada's eyes showed a young woman standing outside a small house in another state.
She looked to be in her early twenties.
She had Ada's eyes.
And on her left wrist was a faded red ribbon.
Daniel turned the phone toward Gloria.
“Is this Sophie?””
Gl.
And on her left wrist was a faded red ribbon.
Daniel turned the phone toward Gloria.
“Is this Sophie?””
Gloria stared at the screen.
Then she covered her mouth.
“Yes.””
Daniel felt tears riseoria stared at the screen.
Then she covered her mouth.
“Yes.””
Daniel felt tears rise in his eyes.
His daughter was alive.
Somewhere, after years of lies and stolen identities, Sophie in his eyes.
His daughter was alive.
Somewhere, after years of lies and stolen identities, Sophie was alive.
A second message appeared beneath the photograph.
**She has been told her entire life that her was alive.
A second message appeared beneath the photograph.
*She has been told her entire life that her family abandoned her.*
Daniel looked at Lucy and Evelyn.
Then he turned toward the officers.
“ family abandoned her.**
Daniel looked at Lucy and Evelyn.
Then he turned toward the officers.
“Find her.””
He didn't know how long it would take, what liesFind her.””
He didn't know how long it would take, what lies Sophie had been told, or whether she would ever forgive him for Sophie had been told, or whether she would ever forgive him for not knowing she existed.
But he knew one thing.
No child in his not knowing she existed.
But he knew one thing.
No child in his family would ever be hidden again.
Six months later, the Mercer estate looked different.
The greenhouse doors stood family would ever be hidden again.
Six months later, the Mercer estate looked different.
The greenhouse doors stood open. Fresh roses climbed the wooden trellises, and the locked room had open. Fresh roses climbed the wooden trellises, and the locked room had been transformed into a bright little library filled with books, art supplies, and photographs of Ada.
Lucy and been transformed into a bright little library filled with books, art supplies, and photographs of Ada.
Lucy and Evelyn spent their afternoons there.
Daniel had begun the long process of rebuilding Evelyn spent their afternoons there.
Daniel had begun the long process of rebuilding their lives, cooperating with investigators and helping the authorities trace the children connected to Michael their lives, cooperating with investigators and helping the authorities trace the children connected to Michael's network. Gloria, facing the consequences of her silence, had agreed to testify.
's network. Gloria, facing the consequences of her silence, had agreed to testify.
And Sophie?
Sophie had finally come home.
She stood in the doorway of the greenhouse onAnd Sophie?
Sophie had finally come home.
She stood in the doorway of the greenhouse on a bright spring morning, looking at the photographs on the wall.
Daniel approached a bright spring morning, looking at the photographs on the wall.
Daniel approached slowly.
“I don't expect you to forgive me,” he said.
Sophie kept her eyes on the pictures slowly.
“I don't expect you to forgive me,” he said.
Sophie kept her eyes on the pictures.
“Did she love me?””
Daniel's voice broke.
“Did she love me?””
Daniel's voice broke.
“Every day.””
“Then why didn't she tell me who I was?””
“Because she was trying to keep you alive.
“Every day.””
“Then why didn't she tell me who I was?””
“Because she was trying to keep you alive.””
Sophie finally turned toward him.
“That's not the.””
Sophie finally turned toward him.
“That's not the same as being there.””
“No,” Daniel admitted.
“It isn't.””
He didn't offer excuses.
He didn't ask same as being there.””
“No,” Daniel admitted.
“It isn't.””
He didn't offer excuses.
He didn't ask for forgiveness.
He simply stood beside his daughter until she was ready to speak again.
Across the garden, Lucy laughed as for forgiveness.
He simply stood beside his daughter until she was ready to speak again.
Across the garden, Lucy laughed as Evelyn chased her around the treehouse.
The ladder was firmly Evelyn chased her around the treehouse.
The ladder was firmly secured to the trunk, with safety rails on both sides.
Daniel had built them secured to the trunk, with safety rails on both sides.
Daniel had built them together with the girls.
And above the doorway, he together with the girls.
And above the doorway, he had placed a small brass plaque.
It carried four words.
**NO had placed a small brass plaque.
It carried four words.
*NO CHILD STANDS ALONE.*
Because the greatest CHILD STANDS ALONE.**
Because the greatest secret in the Mercer family had never been that Ada had three children.
secret in the Mercer family had never been that Ada had three children.
It was that three children had spent years believing they had no family at all.
And theIt was that three children had spent years believing they had no family at all.
And the most unforgivable thing Ruth had done wasn't kicking away a ladder.
It was teaching innocent most unforgivable thing Ruth had done wasn't kicking away a ladder.
It was teaching innocent children that the people who should have protected them were the very people they had to fear.
But children that the people who should have protected them were the very people they had to fear.
But in the end, the truth had opened every locked door.
May you like
And for the first time in six years, the Mercer in the end, the truth had opened every locked door.
And for the first time in six years, the Mercer children could climb toward the sky without wondering who might pull the ladder away. children could climb toward the sky without wondering who might pull the ladder away.
