Chapter 8 - The Cornered Predator
The revelation of Lena's true identity changed everything. We were no longer just defending against a bad divorce; we were preparing to put Derek Sterling in federal prison for years of covered-up violent crimes.
The next morning, the District Attorney’s office convened an emergency grand jury based on the new evidence Lena and I submitted.
When Derek and Patricia realized the walls were closing in, panic set in. The Sterling family money couldn't buy off four different victims, an active recording, and a viral video seen by fifty million people.
At 4:00 PM, my lawyer called. "Claire, the DA just issued a felony warrant for Derek’s arrest without bail. They’re picking him up now."
I let out a breath I felt like I had been holding for months. "Thank you, Marcus."
I was sitting in my living room, alone. Lena had gone to the precinct to give her formal statement as Maya Lin.
Then, the power in my apartment building went out.
The lights flickered once, twice, and died. The hum of the refrigerator ceased. The electronic smart locks on my door clicked loudly as the backup battery kicked in.
I stood up, my phone flashlight illuminating the dark living room.
Click.
May you like
The sound of a physical override key turning in my front door lock echoed through the hallway.
The door creaked open. Standing in the doorway, drenched in rain, holding a heavy iron tire iron in his gloved hand, was Derek.
