“I spoke with Detective Kent this morning,” Julian murmured, his voice low and calm. “The federal prosecutors finalized the indictment paperwork. Dustin’s uncle, Royce Clark, accepted a non-negotiable plea deal. He’s looking at twelve years in a federal penitentiary for racketeering and extortion. His entire operation has been liquidated.”
Evelyn took a slow, deep breath, letting the news wash over her. “And Dustin?”
“Dustin’s trial date was moved up,” Julian replied quietly. “The aggravated assault charges were upheld without bail. With his prior history and the medical records your mother provided, his attorney advised him to take a five-year sentence. He’ll be serving it in a state facility two hundred miles away from here.”
Julian felt Evelyn’s posture shift slightly—a subtle, final release of tension that seemed to ripple through her entire body.
“He’s never coming near you again, Evie,” Julian added, his tone carrying the cold, absolute finality of a ironclad guarantee. “Not him, not his uncle, not anyone he ever associated with. That door is locked permanently.”
