The Deal Nobody Expected
Chapter 17 - The Deal Nobody Expected
Adrian’s attorneys proposed a plea deal.
He would admit financial fraud, bribery, and unlawful restraint. In exchange, prosecutors would reduce the assault charges and recommend a sentence of twelve years.
The offer required Elena’s approval because the state wanted to avoid forcing her through a public trial.
Julian wanted her to reject it.
“Twelve years is not enough.”
Marcus disagreed. “A trial creates risk. Sabrina is cooperating, but a defense attorney will attack her. Eleanor is still missing. Adrian will claim the video lacks context.”
Elena stared at the proposal.
“What context explains counting?”
None of them answered.
She requested a meeting with Adrian through a secure video link. Marcus objected, then arranged it because he had learned that Elena’s decisions were not requests wearing polite clothes.
Adrian appeared in jail orange, thinner but still handsome in the way photographs preserved even after character failed.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Adrian smiled faintly.
“You look better.”
Elena felt the old reflex to soften. She let it pass.
“You want twelve years.”
“I want to take responsibility.”
“You want to choose the price.”
His smile vanished.
“I loved you.”
“You loved being reflected in me.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“No. Fair was available years ago.”
Adrian leaned closer to the camera. “Julian turned you against me.”
Elena almost admired the consistency. Even now, her mind had to belong to a man.
“The chandelier turned me against you.”
He looked away.
She asked about Eleanor.
Adrian claimed he did not know where she was. Elena placed Ruby’s description in front of her: when he told a big lie, he removed his watch.
On screen, Adrian’s wrist was bare because jail had taken the watch.
But his right thumb rubbed the pale line where it used to be.
Elena saw it.
“Where is Eleanor?”
He exhaled.
“She has a house outside Montreal.”
That information allowed federal agents to locate Eleanor within forty-eight hours.
In exchange, Adrian requested that prosecutors protect his younger sister, who had unknowingly received money from one shell company.
Elena believed him about that. She had met Claire Vale only twice. Claire taught elementary school and still drove a car with a missing hubcap.
The final agreement gave Adrian sixteen years, not twelve. It preserved the assault charges, required full asset forfeiture, and protected Claire if she returned the money.
Julian called it mercy.
Elena called it accuracy.
“I don’t need him to suffer forever,” she said. “I need the record to tell the truth.”
The judge accepted the deal.
As Adrian was led away, he turned toward Elena.
She expected rage, apology, perhaps one final performance.
He only asked, “Was any of it real?”
May you like
Elena considered the diner, the rainstorm, the terrible coffee.
“Yes,” she said. “That’s why it worked.”
