Chapter 5 - THOMAS KNEW ABOUT THE PLAN—BUT NOT THE HAIR-PULLINGThomas Mercer agreed to meet with independent counsel.
He was sixty-eight.
Michael’s uncle.
Retired accountant.
Trust adviser.
He looked terrified.
He admitted Diane had discussed creating “behavioral documentation” around Lily.
He thought she meant:
School reports.
Misconduct.
Evidence of dishonesty if genuine.
He did not know she planned to plant cash.
When she called from the birthday party, he told her:
“Do not manufacture anything.”
That part had not been on Ethan’s recording.
Phone records supported his claim.
Good.
Separate levels of responsibility.
Thomas still failed.
He should have reported the conversation immediately.
Instead, he assumed Diane was venting.
Why?
Family familiarity.
Again.
People excuse alarming statements when they come from someone they have known forty years.
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He stepped down from the advisory committee voluntarily.
That mattered.
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