Chapter 10 - The Unraveling
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I returned to Connecticut entirely changed. I secured the ledgers and the bonds in a private, heavily encrypted safety deposit box under an assumed name.
The calendar turned to December, bringing brutal snowstorms and freezing temperatures to the Northeast.
I went to the local police precinct and asked to speak to the lead detective on Victoria’s case. I sat in his cramped, sterile office, sipping terrible coffee.
"Mrs. Whitmore," the detective sighed, rubbing his temples. "We are doing everything we can. But Victoria’s legal team is aggressive. They are moving to suppress Emma’s testimony, arguing that a four-year-old is an unreliable witness who was coached by an angry, grieving mother."
"If they suppress Emma’s testimony, you don't have a case," I stated flatly.
"We have the toxicology report," he countered defensively.
"You have a report that proves they were poisoned. You don't have proof she administered it without my daughter on the stand," I said, leaning forward. "She is going to walk, Detective. Unless you find a motive."
"We are searching her financials, but her lawyers have stonewalled us at every turn," he admitted in frustration.
I didn't tell him about the ledgers. If the police seized the $50 million, it would become state evidence. The Sokolov syndicate would simply wait for the trial to end and kill Victoria quietly.
A quiet death was entirely too merciful for the woman who murdered my sons.
"Thank you for your time, Detective," I said, standing up and leaving his office.
As I walked out of the precinct into the snowy parking lot, a dark chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the weather.
May you like
Parked across the street, its engine idling silently in the snow, was a massive, matte-black SUV with heavily tinted windows.
I had been followed.
