Chapter 18 - THE TRIAL OF RICHARD STERLING
Richard’s trial began eleven months later.
The courtroom filled before sunrise.
Financial reporters.
Local media.
National media.
Former employees.
Curious members of the public.
Michael sat beside Willow.
Amanda sat two rows behind.
Marion entered through another door.
She had accepted a plea agreement for obstruction and false statements.
Her testimony against Richard reduced her sentence.
When she took the stand, Richard stared at her with undisguised hatred.
“You knew about Claire?”
The prosecutor asked.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Shortly after her death.”
“Why did you remain silent?”
Marion’s voice shook.
“Fear.”
The prosecutor paused.
“And did you later benefit financially from Richard Sterling’s control of Sterling Continental?”
“Yes.”
“Did that benefit contribute to your silence?”
Marion cried.
“Yes.”
No excuses.
That mattered.
Lucas testified next.
He described his father ordering him to approach Willow.
The emails.
The forged postnuptial agreement.
The break-in.
His own complicity.
Richard refused to look at him.
Amanda testified.
Samuel Pike testified.
Daniel explained the shell companies.
Evelyn explained Donovan ownership.
Then prosecutors played Claire’s recording.
Michael’s hand found Willow’s.
Claire’s voice filled the courtroom.
“If something happens to me, Richard Sterling is responsible.”
Richard’s expression did not change.
Then came Claire’s message to Willow.
“You are eight right now.”
“You hate peas.”
A faint laugh moved through the courtroom.
Willow cried.
“You sleep with your left foot outside the blanket.”
Michael squeezed her hand.
“And I hope when you are older, you never stay in a room that requires you to become smaller.”
Richard finally looked at Willow.
Their eyes met.
Willow saw no remorse.
Only resentment.
Richard did not regret what he had done.
He regretted that the woman he had dismissed as trailer trash had survived long enough to stand in the courtroom watching him answer for it.
The jury deliberated thirty-one hours.
Guilty.
On fraud.
Conspiracy.
Obstruction.
Witness intimidation.
And counts connected to Claire’s death.
Richard Sterling closed his eyes.
Outside, reporters surrounded Michael.
“Mr. Donovan!”
“Do you believe justice was served?”
Michael stopped.
“No.”
Everyone became quiet.
He looked toward the courthouse steps.
“Justice would be Claire walking down those stairs with us.”
Willow lowered her eyes.
“This is accountability.”
Michael continued.
“And sometimes accountability is the closest the living get.”
May you like
Then he took his daughter’s hand.
Together, they walked away.
