Chapter 16 - Stolen Digital Shadows|
By late autumn, the prosecution had assembled an ironclad case. The evidence against Julian Vance spanned four counts of wire fraud, grand larceny, corporate embezzlement, and domestic assault.
Camilla Price entered a guilty plea to reduced charges of misdemeanor financial misconduct, agreeing to testify against Julian in exchange for probation and full financial restitution.
One afternoon, Audrey met with the lead prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Marcus Vance—no relation—in his office.
Marcus placed a thick binder on the desk.
“Julian’s lawyers are asking for a plea bargain,” Marcus told her. “They want five years with eligibility for parole after two.”
Audrey looked out the window at the gray November sky.
“What is your recommendation?”
“We can push for eight years federal time,” Marcus said firmly. “The wire fraud alone carries significant weight, and the digital theft from your personal computer shows premeditation.”
Audrey turned back to the prosecutor.
“I don't care about the length of his sentence, Marcus. I care about accountability. He needs to realize that his actions have irreversible consequences.”
“He still blames you, you know,” Marcus noted dryly. “In his jailhouse interviews, he keeps telling his lawyers that you ‘tricked’ him into committing fraud.”
Audrey let out a soft, amused laugh.
“Arrogant men always believe a woman’s success is a trick played against them,” she said. “Let him believe whatever he wants in his cell.”
That evening, Audrey returned to her estate. She walked up the grand staircase to her mother’s old study.
On the mahogany desk sat the original platinum earrings, returned to her by the police evidence locker earlier that day. She picked them up, feeling the cool weight of the metal against her palm.
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She didn't put them in her jewelry box.
Instead, she placed them in a black velvet presentation case, ready for their true purpose.
