Chapter 22 - THE LAST PLEA OFFER
Prosecutors offered Vivienne a negotiated plea before trial.
Serious felony count reduced in exchange for admission to:
Intentional newborn identification tampering.
Attempted custodial interference through deception.
Unlawful possession/use of another infant’s medical identifier.
Probation plus a custodial component depending sentencing.
No-contact conditions.
Restitution to the Hale family for costs caused by the privacy and identity investigation.
Restitution to us for certain testing expenses not covered.
Vivienne refused.
Why?
She would not admit custodial interference.
She said:
“I was arranging family care.”
There.
Still.
No real insight.
Trial stayed.
Elena asked me:
“Do you want her convicted?”
“Yes.”
“What if she isn’t?”
I thought.
“The children still stay away.”
“Good.”
Then:
“Do you want her in prison?”
That answer was harder.
“I want the court to decide without me pretending I’m neutral.”
She nodded.
Fair.
Then I said:
“I also want to hurt her.”
Elena looked at me.
“I know.”
“I’m not going to.”
“That matters more.”
May you like
Growth is often less satisfying than vengeance.
Still.
