Chapter 7 - THE MORNING LIGHT
By the time the sun began to rise over the Cascade Mountains, the Hale estate was a hive of activity.
Federal agents and state police officers were carrying boxes of files and computer hard drives out to waiting vans. Victor Hale, his hands cuffed tightly behind his back, was led down the stone steps of his mansion, his head bowed, his face covered by his wrinkled white shirt to shield himself from the flashing cameras of the local news crews who had already arrived.
Daniel and Claire stood near the edge of the driveway, wrapped in a heavy wool blanket the paramedics had given them.
Mara Singh, Daniel's former supervisor, walked over, a thick manila folder under her arm and a cup of lukewarm coffee in her hand.
"It's over, Daniel," Mara said, her tired eyes crinkling into a warm smile. "We’ve got the safe ledger. The state inspectors are already rolling on him to save their own skins. The federal judge signed the indictment ten minutes ago. Victor Hale is going to spend the rest of his natural life in a federal penitentiary."
"Thank you, Mara," Daniel said, shaking her hand.
"Don't thank me," Mara replied, looking at Claire. "Your husband is the best forensic investigator this state has ever seen. He put together a case in six months that would have taken my department three years. You’ve got a good one, Claire."
"I know," Claire whispered, her eyes shining as she looked at Daniel.
As Mara walked away to direct the agents, Daniel turned to his wife. The cool morning breeze caught her hair, blowing it across her face. He gently reached out, tucking a strand behind her ear.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
May you like
Claire looked back at the massive, dark mansion, then down at her own hands. For the first time in her life, she didn't feel the phantom weight of her stepfather’s shadow hanging over her shoulder.
"I’m free," she said, a small, beautiful smile finally breaking across her face. "For the first time in my life, Daniel... I’m actually free."
