Chapter 8 - The Verdict
By April, Denver had thawed into a brilliant, blooming spring. Cherry blossoms lined the streets, and the air carried the crisp, clean scent of mountain rain.
I was eight months pregnant, glowing, strong, and completely in control of my life.
The federal trial for Grant and Ryan Vance concluded after a grueling two-week courtroom battle. The evidence presented by the prosecution—backed entirely by Evelyn Vance’s meticulous forensic audits and my security team’s digital archives—was overwhelming and incontrovertible.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours.
The verdict was read on a warm Tuesday afternoon.
Grant Vance was found guilty on all twelve counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, and corporate embezzlement. The judge sentenced him to fourteen years in federal prison, with no possibility of parole for the first ten years. Given his age and failing health, it was effectively a life sentence.
Ryan Vance was found guilty on eight counts of federal wire fraud, identity theft (for the forged Power of Attorney), and financial exploitation. Because he had cooperated minimally at the very end in a desperate, failed attempt to pin the blame on his father, the judge handed down an eight-year federal sentence.
When the gavel came down, Ryan collapsed into his defense attorney’s arms, weeping openly as the federal marshals snapped the handcuffs back onto his wrists and led him away through the secure back exit.
I wasn't in the courtroom. I didn't need to be.
I was sitting in my executive office downtown, reviewing quarterly security metrics while eating a bowl of fresh strawberries, when Marcus called to give me the final tally.
“It’s over, Claire,” Marcus said softly. “They’re going away for a very, very long time.”
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“Good,” I said, popping a strawberry into my mouth. “File the final restitution orders to garnish any future commissary funds or prison wages they earn. I want every single penny they ever touch routed directly into the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital foundation.”
“Consider it done, boss,” Marcus said. “Enjoy your maternity leave. You’ve earned every second of peace.”
