Chapter 14 - The Last Door Lucien Opened
Lucien was arrested at a private airfield while trying to board a chartered plane. His attorneys claimed the evidence had been planted by Dante to settle a business feud. The case would be difficult. A powerful man could buy experts, delay hearings, and exhaust witnesses until they wished they had never spoken.
I took the stand anyway. I described the torn cuffs, the broken mirror, the threat to Mia, and Toby's silver badge. I admitted what I had not seen. I refused to guess about the parts I knew only from other people.
Giselle's attorney tried to portray me as a disgruntled employee who wanted Dante's money. I explained that I had lost my job the moment I refused to lie. “I did not gain anything that night,” I said. “I kept my conscience.”
Toby's testimony was taken privately with a child specialist present. Mia was not required to face Giselle in open court. Her drawing helped investigators establish the sequence of events, but the prosecution relied on physical evidence and corroborating records rather than forcing her to carry the case.
Ricci's testimony and the financial trail connected Lucien to the ambush. Hale's logs placed him at the warehouse security terminal. Giselle's messages showed the conspiracy to seize the children's trust. Rachel's admission explained how the route had been compromised without turning her mistake into a deliberate murder.
When the verdicts came, the courtroom was quiet. Lucien was convicted of crimes related to the conspiracy and Marco's killing. Hale and Ricci faced sentences under their separate agreements. Giselle was convicted on charges arising from the attempted theft, intimidation, and fraud. The civil proceedings to restore the children's trust continued.
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Outside the courthouse, reporters shouted questions at Dante. He ignored them and asked whether I wanted to leave by a side entrance. I said yes.
In the car, I finally cried. Not because the verdict fixed everything. It couldn't bring Marco back or give Teresa the years she had lost. I cried because for the first time in months, the next day belonged to us rather than to the people threatening us.
