Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Tried to Rewrite Everything
Brooke's attorney arrived the next morning.
He immediately demanded that all charges against Brooke be dropped.
His argument was simple.
“She acted in self-defense.”
Clara almost laughed.
The evidence said otherwise.
The medical report.
The witness statement.
The recovered baseball bat.
The wood fibers.
The body-camera footage.
Arthur's confession.
And finally, Brooke's own messages.
Investigators had obtained lawful access to messages showing Brooke telling a friend:
“If she tells anyone what happened, I'm finished.”
Another message read:
“Arthur will back me up.”
A third:
“The police captain owes us.”
That message changed the investigation.
Brooke wasn't simply lying.
She had expected protection.
Her attorney tried to argue that the messages were taken out of context.
The prosecutor disagreed.
The case moved forward.
At the hospital, Helena watched the news silently.
“Do you feel sorry for her?” Clara asked.
Helena thought for a moment.
“I feel sorry for the woman she could have been.”
Clara looked at her.
“That's very forgiving.”
“I'm old.”
They both laughed.
Then Helena grew serious.
“Arthur?”
“He gave a statement.”
“Is he going to prison?”
“I don't know.”
Helena looked toward the window.
“He's still my son.”
Clara nodded.
“And you're still his mother.”
“I don't want revenge.”
“What do you want?”
“The truth.”
May you like
Clara smiled.
“That's exactly what we're getting.”
