Chapter 15 - The Last Recording
A package arrived on Noah’s second birthday.
Inside was Richard Carter’s missing recorder.
The device contained his final conversation with Evelyn.
Richard accused her of bribery and announced that he had contacted federal authorities.
Evelyn threatened to destroy Miles and Claire if Richard left.
“You don’t love them,” Richard said. “You love being necessary to them.”
A struggle followed.
Then Evelyn’s voice:
“If you had simply obeyed me, none of this would be happening.”
The recording ended with a crash.
It was enough to charge Evelyn with Richard’s murder.
She was transported back to Chicago for trial.
This time, Miles did not attend every hearing. He refused to let her consume another year of his life.
The murder trial lasted two weeks.
Evelyn was convicted and sentenced to life without parole.
When the verdict was announced, Miles was at home helping Noah build a tower from wooden blocks.
Hannah read the message from Detective Ortiz.
“It’s finished,” she said.
Miles looked at his son.
“No. It’s finally allowed to be finished.”
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They did not celebrate Evelyn’s punishment.
They celebrated freedom from her story.
