The lawsuit did what Margaret said it would do. It turned the Mercer family into a story. The Herald ran a series. A reporter from the national wire picked it up. The Mercer Foundation, which had spent decades burnishing its name with charity galas and hospital wings, suddenly found itself answering questions about a drowning in 1974.
Caroline Mercer issued a statement. It was careful and cold: "The Mercer family has always cooperated fully with the authorities and will continue to do so. The tragic death of Clara Voss was investigated thoroughly at the time and ruled an accident."
But the statement did not stop the questions. Donors began to pull out of the foundation's annual gala. The hospital announced it was reviewing the naming agreement. The Conservatory, where Elias had been a st
