Chapter 20 - The Night at the Bridge
Gabriel finally told the whole story.
Federal agents recorded the interview.
Renee chose to attend.
Andrew sat beside her.
Gabriel’s oxygen machine hissed softly between sentences.
“Peter knew we were following him.”
“Did Voss tell you to stop him?” the agent asked.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Force him off the road if necessary.”
Renee closed her eyes.
Gabriel continued.
“I refused at first.”
“Then?”
“Voss grabbed the wheel.”
Andrew felt Renee’s hand tighten around his.
“The vehicles touched. Peter lost control.”
“So Voss caused the crash?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you lie before?”
Gabriel looked at Renee.
“Because admitting I didn’t call for help felt easier than admitting I helped chase him.”
“You still didn’t call.”
“No.”
“What happened at the car?”
“Peter was trapped. Conscious.”
“What did he say?”
Gabriel began crying.
“He said, ‘Mara remembers the song.’”
Renee covered her mouth.
“He knew I’d hidden things in the house. I didn’t understand.”
“And Voss?”
“He searched the car. Took Peter’s briefcase.”
“Did Peter ask for medical help?”
“Yes.”
“What did Voss do?”
“He said the ambulance was already too late.”
“Was that true?”
“No.”
Renee stood suddenly.
Andrew thought she might leave.
Instead she walked toward Gabriel.
“You could have saved him.”
“Yes.”
“You want me to forgive you before you die.”
Gabriel looked up.
“I want nothing from you.”
“Good.”
She stared at him.
“Because I don’t forgive you.”
Gabriel nodded.
Renee’s voice trembled.
“But I will tell the truth about what you did now. The good part and the terrible part. You don’t get to become a hero because you finally confessed.”
“I understand.”
“And you don’t get erased either.”
Gabriel wept silently.
That was the closest thing to mercy she could offer.
Federal prosecutors moved quickly.
Voss was charged with additional counts related to obstruction and conspiracy.
A homicide charge was more complicated due to jurisdiction, evidence age, and proof standards, but state prosecutors reopened Peter’s death.
Meanwhile, Julian prepared to plead guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges related to Northline and Westbridge.
Andrew visited him before the hearing.
Julian sat across from him in a conference room.
“No suit?” Andrew asked.
Julian smiled.
“Lawyer says humility photographs better.”
“At least you’re still terrible.”
“I’m trying to preserve one personality flaw.”
They laughed.
It hurt.
Julian looked down.
“I’m probably going to prison.”
“Yes.”
“You could pretend to argue.”
“I’m done pretending.”
Julian nodded.
“Fair.”
Andrew asked, “Why give everything up?”
Julian thought for a long time.
“Because Sophie called me Uncle Jules last Christmas.”
Andrew waited.
Julian continued.
“I realized one day she’d be old enough to Google us.”
His eyes filled.
“I didn’t want her to discover I knew the truth and chose money anyway.”
Andrew swallowed.
“You did choose money.”
“Yes.”
“But you stopped.”
“Very late.”
“Still stopped.”
Julian looked grateful and devastated.
Before Andrew left, Julian said:
“There’s one asset nobody has discussed.”
“What?”
“Hawthorne Ridge.”
“What about it?”
“If Peter’s trust still owned the beneficial interest, Renee may legally control more than the house.”
“How much more?”
Julian looked at him.
“The land under the original Bennett headquarters was purchased through the same trust chain.”
Andrew stared.
That property was worth nearly forty million dollars.
May you like
Julian said:
“Your wife may own the ground our family empire is standing on.”
