Chapter 10 - Justice
Six months later, the courtroom was packed.
My mother sat in the front row, her arm fully healed, looking radiant and dignified in a tailored navy suit. I stood at the prosecutor's table, looking at the defense.
Richard Sterling had dropped them as clients the moment the FBI raided the Vegas syndicate. Greg and Claire were represented by overworked public defenders.
When the judge read the verdict, there was no dramatic outburst. Guilty on all counts. Conspiracy to commit murder, elder abuse, federal wire fraud, and aggravated assault.
The judge sentenced them both to thirty-five years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Claire looked back at us one last time before being led away in shackles. My mother didn't even blink.
That evening, Mom and I sat on the back deck of the Tahoe house, wrapped in warm blankets, watching the sunset over the lake. The air was crisp, clean, and peaceful.
"You saved my life, Julianne," my mother said softly, resting her hand on mine.
May you like
"You raised me to fight for the truth, Mom," I replied, squeezing her hand back. "I was just doing my job."
The property was safe. The monsters were locked away. And as the stars began to reflect on the glassy surface of Lake Tahoe, I finally let out a long breath, knowing that no one would ever touch our family again.
