Chapter 14 - THE FINAL MOVE
The next days passed in a blur of interviews, paperwork, and meetings with lawyers. Elias was formally charged with fraud, conspiracy, forgery, and attempted murder. Halloway’s charges were expanded to match. Rachel was offered a reduced sentence in exchange for testifying against both men—she accepted immediately, grateful for the chance to rebuild her life in witness protection.
Lydia remained under investigation. She had surrendered voluntarily. She had provided full testimony. She had handed over evidence. But the clause in the will weighed on me. Arthur and I spoke about it late one evening in the study.
“She knew,” I said quietly. “Arthur—she knew what stood to become hers if we both died.”
Arthur nodded slowly. “I’ve been going through the files. Elias told her six months ago. Right before my accident. He showed her the will. Explained the clause.”
“Then her remorse… her choice to help us…”
“May have been genuine,” Arthur said. “Or may have been the only move that kept her from being arrested alongside Elias. We may never know for certain.”
He leaned forward. “But I believe this: when she stood in that room and chose to hand us the files… she chose to be better than what Elias had made her. She had the will to take everything—and she chose not to.”
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that somewhere beneath the hurt and the greed, Lydia had still been the girl I raised.
Two days later, the blow fell.
Arthur received word from the district attorney. Elias had struck a deal. In exchange for returning every asset and testifying against Halloway in open court, he would plead guilty to lesser charges—fraud and conspiracy only. No attempted murder. No life sentence.
“He’ll be eligible for parole in seven years,” Arthur said, his voice tight with anger. “Seven years. For everything he did.”
“And Lydia?” I asked.
“The DA believes her testimony was critical,” Arthur said. “Without her, we might never have found the master files. She faces probation. No prison time. But there is a condition.”
Arthur looked at me carefully.
“She must renounce all claim to the estate. Every penny. Every share. Every right. If she does that—she walks free. Otherwise, she stands trial alongside Elias.”
I sat silent for a long time.
May you like
“She will accept,” I said. “She has no choice.”
“Perhaps,” Arthur said. “But she has asked to speak with you. Once. Before she signs anything.”
