Chapter 18 - The Trial of Daniel Vale
Six months later, Daniel Vale entered a federal courtroom in handcuffs.
The case had become national news.
Prosecutors charged him with conspiracy.
Fraud.
Kidnapping.
Attempted murder.
Money laundering.
And the murders of Elizabeth and Richard Vale.
Malcolm Voss sat at the defense table in a separate trial.
Detective Pike had already pleaded guilty to corruption.
Charlotte sat behind Lena Brooks.
Samuel sat beside her.
Ethan held her hand.
Vivian sat three rows behind them.
When Anna Mercer entered the courtroom, Daniel finally looked nervous.
Anna testified first.
She described Elizabeth’s symptoms.
The hidden medication changes.
Malcolm’s access to the kitchen.
Then Arthur Bell testified.
He described Elizabeth’s fears.
Her secret archive.
Daniel’s threats.
Samuel authenticated the evidence surrounding Richard Vale’s plane crash.
Vivian was the witness everyone waited for.
She walked to the stand wearing a simple dark suit.
No jewelry.
No glamour.
Nothing resembling the woman who once dragged Charlotte across a hotel lobby.
Daniel stared at her.
Vivian looked directly at him.
The prosecutor asked the question.
“Did Daniel Vale ever discuss the death of Elizabeth Vale with you?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
Vivian swallowed.
“He said Elizabeth had finally learned what happened to Richard.”
Charlotte felt Ethan squeeze her hand.
Vivian continued.
“He said if she exposed him, he would lose everything.”
“Did he say how he planned to stop her?”
“Yes.”
Daniel’s attorney stood.
“Objection.”
“Overruled.”
Vivian looked toward the jury.
“He said Malcolm would handle the medication.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
The courtroom became silent.
Then Lena played the recording from the cemetery.
Daniel’s own voice echoed through the room.
Your mother drank the same tea every night.
Malcolm.
The jury listened carefully.
Daniel stopped looking arrogant.
The trial lasted six weeks.
The jury deliberated for thirteen hours.
Charlotte waited inside Solmere Hotel when Lena called.
“We have a verdict.”
Charlotte returned to court.
Daniel stood.
The clerk read each charge.
“Guilty.”
Charlotte exhaled.
“Guilty.”
Samuel closed his eyes.
“Guilty.”
Vivian began crying quietly.
Then came the murder charge.
Charlotte stared at Daniel.
“For the murder of Elizabeth Vale.”
The clerk paused.
“We find the defendant guilty.”
Charlotte felt something inside her finally release.
Daniel turned toward her.
For years, he had believed Solmere belonged to him.
He had destroyed lives for it.
Now he had nothing.
As officers led him away, he stopped.
“You think you won.”
Charlotte said nothing.
Daniel smiled.
“Ask your mother why she changed the trust three days before she died.”
Charlotte’s expression changed.
Daniel laughed as he was dragged away.
Samuel looked at her.
“What is he talking about?”
Charlotte didn’t know.
May you like
But three days later, Arthur found the amendment.
And when Charlotte read it, she realized Elizabeth Vale had planned one final surprise.
