Part 20
The office of the United States Attorney was quiet.
The blinds were drawn against the bright afternoon sun, casting long shadows across the mahogany conference table.
The lead prosecutor, a sharp woman named Sarah Vance—no relation to Richard or Julian, a pleasant coincidence—set a large stack of documents down in front of us.
"It's a complete confession, Mrs. Parker," Sarah said.
"Victoria Brooks realized she was facing twenty-five years in a maximum-security facility."
"She turned over the keys to the Swiss accounts."
"The sixty thousand dollars has been officially released back to Derek's primary account."
"And the secondary funds she embezzled from Richard's firm? Recovered."
Derek sat next to me, his shoulders relaxed for the first time in weeks.
"What happens to Felicia and Cassandra?" he asked.
"They've both signed plea agreements," Sarah replied.
"Because they cooperated against their mother, their sentences will be reduced to five years each."
"Evelyn Brooks was intercepted at the airport in Miami before she could board the flight to Costa Rica."
"She's currently cooperating with the bank's internal investigation."
Sarah leaned forward, looking at me with admiration.
"Your husband would be very proud of you, Eleanor."
"You handled this like a seasoned investigator."
"I just listened to what he used to tell me, Ms. Vance," I said softly.
"Look for the person who isn't making noise."
We signed the final release forms and walked out of the federal building.
The city was bustling, people rushing by with shopping bags, the holiday season finally over.
The snow from the previous weeks had turned into slush, clearing the roads.
"Let's get some lunch, Mom," Derek said, guiding me down the steps.
"My treat."
"I'd like that," I smiled.
We walked to a small, quiet café two blocks away.
As we sat by the window, watching the traffic pass, Derek looked at his phone.
He had a notification from his bank.
The balance was back to normal.
His savings were secure.
"It feels strange," he said, staring at the screen.
"To have it all back."
"It feels like a dream."
"A very bad dream."
"It wasn't a dream, Derek," I said, reaching across the table to take his hand.
"It was a lesson."
"A lesson about who you are, and what we are willing to do to protect each other."
"You lost your way for a moment because you wanted a short cut to happiness."
"But happiness isn't something you buy with a thirty-thousand dollar deposit."
"It's built."
He nodded, his eyes clear and focused.
"I know, Mom."
"I'm going to start over."
"No more flashy promises."
"Just hard work."
"And... I think I'll let you screen my next girlfriend."
I laughed out loud, the sound bright and warm in the little café.
"Oh, absolutely not," I smiled.
"My vetting process involves federal background checks and asset verification now."
"You'd never find anyone."
He smiled, a real, happy expression that reached his eyes.
"Maybe that's exactly what I need."
We finished our lunch in comfort, the weight of the past month finally melting away.
The storm had passed.
May you like
The house was safe.
And my son was finally home.
