Chapter 19 - THE LAST RECORDING
The recovered call lasted four minutes and seventeen seconds.
Natalie’s voice was unmistakable.
Emily leaves Thursday at eight.
Lucas asked—
You want me to scare her?
Natalie answered—
No.
A pause.
I want the problem finished.
Lucas hesitated.
That means what I think it means?
Natalie replied—
Make sure the brakes don’t work.
There was no ambiguity.
The federal case became overwhelming.
Natalie faced racketeering charges, murder-for-hire conspiracy, witness intimidation and interstate financial crimes.
She attempted one final move.
A plea bargain.
She offered names of corrupt officials in exchange for reduced sentencing.
Federal prosecutors accepted information.
Not mercy.
Natalie received life imprisonment without realistic possibility of release.
Evan pleaded guilty to fraud, obstruction and his role in covering up Daniel’s death.
He received twelve years.
Ryan visited him once before sentencing.
Evan sat across from him.
“You don’t have to come back.”
Ryan nodded.
“I know.”
“You hate me?”
Ryan thought.
“No.”
“That’s worse.”
“No.”
Ryan looked at his brother.
“I hate what you did.”
Evan lowered his eyes.
“I’m sorry about Emily.”
Ryan swallowed.
“Tell Ava when you get out.”
Evan looked up.
“If she wants to see me.”
“That will be her choice.”
Margaret received six years under a cooperation agreement.
She accepted it.
Before being taken away, she hugged Ryan.
“I spent my whole life believing protecting the family meant protecting what we owned.”
Ryan said nothing.
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
She cried.
“I know.”
Claire attended Daniel’s memorial.
For the first time in five years, his death certificate was amended.
Manner of death: homicide.
Emily’s case was formally recognized as intentional killing.
Ryan took Ava to Emily’s grave.
He knelt beside her.
“Do you want to put the flowers down?”
Ava nodded.
She placed yellow roses against the stone.
“Mommy?”
Ryan’s throat tightened.
“Yes?”
“Can she hear me?”
“I don’t know.”
Ava thought.
Then smiled.
“I’ll talk anyway.”
She leaned toward the stone.
“We found the bad lady.”
Ryan looked away as tears filled his eyes.
Ava continued.
“Daddy knows now.”
May you like
Then she whispered something Ryan almost missed.
“You can rest.”
