Chapter 15 - THE VERDICT
Celestine was convicted of:
Financial fraud.
Witness intimidation.
Evidence tampering.
Conspiracy to recklessly interfere with Mara’s vehicle.
And involuntary manslaughter.
The jury found the reckless tampering materially contributed to the fatal crash.
They did not find intent to kill.
There was no murder count to acquit.
The judge thanked jurors.
Celestine sat very still.
I felt no triumph.
Only nausea.
Owen’s plea included manslaughter responsibility too.
His cooperation reduced but did not eliminate prison.
At sentencing, Mara’s mechanic submitted a statement.
He had made an incomplete repair recommendation.
Civil consequences already resolved.
No criminal charge.
Shared failure did not erase deliberate sabotage.
Celestine spoke.
Not an apology at first.
“I never wanted Mara dead.”
The judge answered:
“That is why you are not being sentenced for murder.”
Precise.
Then Celestine turned toward me.
“I loved her.”
I believed that.
That was the horror.
“You can love someone and still become dangerous when preserving yourself matters more.”
The judge sentenced her within guideline range considering:
No prior violent record.
Planning.
Financial motive.
The fatal consequence.
Evidence destruction.
Threat toward Poppy after the fact.
Not life imprisonment.
A substantial term.
Restitution.
Financial penalties.
No contact with Poppy.
No profit from story rights related to the crime where law allowed restrictions.
I gave a short victim-impact statement.
“Mara was not reckless with her daughter’s future. She was collecting evidence because she believed truth mattered. Poppy should never have been made responsible for carrying what Mara hid.”
That was all.
Outside, reporters asked whether justice had been done.
“I think the court did its job.”
Not healing.
Not closure.
Job.
Then my own misdemeanor diversion closed.
I completed the course.
Paid the fine.
No new offense.
Case dismissed under agreement.
Some reporter asked why I mentioned it.
Because accountability that applies only to villains is branding.
I hit Celestine.
Wrong.
I did not need a footnote making me perfect.
Then Lark & Thread’s civil case settled.
Celestine forfeited disputed compensation.
Restitution to company.
Owen too.
The new owners kept the brand.
No destruction.
Workers kept jobs.
Mara’s old company outlived everyone’s scandal.
Poppy still wore one of its sweaters.
Life remained rude that way.
Then we reached the next problem.
What to do with the USB.
Police no longer needed every copy after appeals preservation protocols.
The original drive technically belonged to Mara’s estate.
Meaning me as executor under her will.
I could keep it.
Destroy it after legal retention.
Archive it.
Poppy said:
“Put it back in Dolly.”
I almost said yes.
Then realized that would make a five-year-old’s hiding place into a shrine.
“No.”
She frowned.
May you like
“Why?”
“Because Dolly gets to be a doll again.”
