“Is it over?” I asked.
“This part is. The investigations against them and the property claims are following their own course.”
Outside her office, I immediately called Opal.
“I’m not guilty anymore, ma’am.”
Her reply brought fresh tears.
“To me, you never were.”
The remaining legal proceedings lasted considerably longer.
Prosecutors continued examining the forged documents and tracing the diverted funds. Gordon formally testified and surrendered the relevant records he’d preserved.
Forensic accountants analyzed the banking evidence.
Months afterward, prosecutors secured indictments against Trevor and Monica for offenses supported by the investigation.
Both continued defending themselves under the conditions imposed by the court.
I understood that indictment didn’t establish guilt.
After experiencing the destruction caused by accusations unsupported by sufficient evidence, I refused to confuse criminal charges with convictions.
Nearly two years after my release, the civil and criminal matters began reaching their conclusions.
Trevor and Monica received sentences for their participation in proven fraudulent transactions, along with restitution obligations.
