Chapter 28 - JusticeThe Northstar documents changed the prosecution.
Federal investigators reopened several old financial cases.
Carter Meridian cooperated.
Vanessa agreed to testify.
Marcus gave investigators the remaining records.
Elliot fought until the evidence became impossible to deny.
The trials lasted months.
When the final verdict came, Vanessa received a long prison sentence.
Marcus was sentenced for his role in Claire's death and the financial crimes.
Elliot received the harshest sentence.
None of them walked away free.
But justice was not the thing that healed me.
That came slowly.
Through ordinary mornings.
Through Lily's laughter.
Through Noah learning to drive.
Through my mother remembering Claire's birthday.
Through the first time I walked into my office and didn't feel like the walls were holding their breath.
One afternoon, Noah asked:
"Are you happy?"
I thought about it.
"Sometimes."
He nodded.
"Mom would say that's enough."
I smiled.
"She probably would."
He looked at the empty drawer.
"The drawer started all this."
I looked at it.
The top drawer.
The one Vanessa believed I would never open.
Inside, I had placed Claire's photograph.
And nothing else.
Some secrets belonged in the light.
Some belonged in memory.
May you like
And some...
Needed to remain unopened.
