CHAPTER 4 — THE COURTROOM BETRAYAL
Within weeks, the evidence reached federal investigators.
News stations surrounded Albany.
The forgotten factory scandal exploded nationwide.
Richard Coleman denied everything.
Harold Mills called Hannah a liar.
Then the trial began.
The courtroom overflowed.
Former workers filled every seat.
Widows.
Children.
Retired employees.
Frank took the witness stand first.
With tears streaming down his face, he admitted the truth.
"I believed the wrong people."
"I abandoned my own daughter."
"I helped bury an innocent man's reputation."
The courtroom fell silent.
Then Hannah testified.
She explained how Daniel had begged her to stay hidden until the evidence could be protected.
Why?
Because someone had been watching her.
Several mysterious "accidents" had nearly killed her after Daniel's death.
The prosecutor then played Daniel's final video.
No one moved.
Even the judge removed his glasses.
But the biggest shock came from Owen.
The ten-year-old quietly walked toward the witness stand.
"I have something too."
Everyone turned.
From his backpack...
he removed a small notebook.
Daniel's journal.
Hidden inside Hannah's apartment wall for ten years.
Inside was one final handwritten confession.
Not about the corruption.
About the real mastermind.
Someone no one had suspected.
Frank slowly read the final name aloud.
May you like
Then the courtroom gasped.
"Diane Carter."
