The jury deliberated for four hours.
Guilty of first-degree murder. Guilty of attempted murder. Guilty of kidnapping. Guilty of fraud and conspiracy.
The judge sentenced Robert Prescott to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
When they led him out of the courtroom, he looked back over his shoulder. Not at the judge. Not at his lawyers.
At me.
I looked right back at him. I didn’t blink.
He turned away first.
My mother got eight years for the fraud, reduced for her cooperation. Christopher got twelve. He never apologized to anybody.
Lucas was cleared of all charges. He’d never known anything about the money. He’d just been running restaurants and trying to make his stepfather proud.
He found me on the courthouse steps after the sentencing. He was twenty-six years old and he looked about fifteen.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “About everything. About your dad. He was always good to me. Better than my own father.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Lucas.”
“I didn’t do anything at all,” he said. “That’s sort of the problem.”
I looked at him for a long time.
“Do you want to keep working at the company?”
He blinked. “After all this? You’d let me?”
“My father thought you were good at your job. He wrote it in the ledger. Page forty-one. ‘Lucas is honest. Lucas works hard. Lucas doesn’t know.'”
Lucas put his hand over his mouth.
“I need people who are honest,” I said. “And who work hard. Think about it.”
He thought about it for about two seconds.
“Yes,” he said.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.