Chapter 11: The Prosecutor's Secret
Chapter 11: The Prosecutor's Secret
The valley fell eerily silent.
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Even the armed men surrounding the chapel hesitated.
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No one had expected the arrival of federal authorities.
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Alexander stared at the woman standing only a few yards away.
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"Catherine?"
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She gave him a small, bittersweet smile.
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"It has been a long time."
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Alexander slowly lowered his guard.
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His memories of Catherine Sterling were warm ones.
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She had always been his father's favorite younger sister.
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When Alexander was a child, she was the aunt who sneaked him ice cream before dinner and taught him how to ride a bicycle.
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Then, one day, she disappeared.
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Victoria had explained that Catherine had accepted a prestigious legal position in Europe.
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Alexander had believed her.
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Now, standing before him, Catherine looked stronger than he had ever remembered.
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Her silver-streaked hair was neatly pulled back.
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Her navy suit bore the badge of the United States Department of Justice.
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The years had changed her appearance.
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They had not changed the determination in her eyes.
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The attackers looked toward their leader.
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He cursed under his breath.
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"We're pulling out."
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The mission had already failed.
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Federal agents and Sterling Global Security officers quickly surrounded the chapel.
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The armed men retreated to their SUVs.
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Within seconds, tires screamed across the gravel road as the vehicles disappeared down the hillside.
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Daniel watched them leave.
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"We should pursue them."
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Catherine shook her head.
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"No."
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"They're expendable."
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"We want the people giving the orders."
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Alexander frowned.
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"You already know who's behind this."
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Catherine looked directly into his eyes.
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"I've known for twenty-five years."
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Inside the chapel, emergency crews began checking for structural damage.
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Fortunately, the explosion had destroyed only the front entrance.
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The underground chamber remained untouched.
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Emily held Sophia tightly while federal agents secured the videotape and Edward Sterling's original will.
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Alexander noticed Catherine carefully placing both items into evidence bags.
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"You're taking them?"
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She nodded.
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"They're now evidence in a federal homicide investigation."
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Alexander repeated the words quietly.
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"Homicide."
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Hearing them aloud made everything feel terrifyingly real.
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The group gathered inside the caretaker's small office.
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Catherine placed a thick case file onto the wooden table.
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Its cover read:
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United States Department of Justice
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Confidential
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Operation Black Orchid
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Alexander looked at the title.
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"What is this?"
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Catherine opened the file.
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"For twenty-five years..."
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"...I've been investigating your father's death."
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Daniel leaned forward.
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"You believed he was murdered all along?"
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Catherine nodded.
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"The official autopsy concluded he died of a massive heart attack."
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"But the evidence never made sense."
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She removed an old photograph.
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Edward Sterling stood smiling beside a younger Catherine.
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The photo had been taken only three days before his death.
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"He was healthy."
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"He exercised daily."
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"His medical records showed no history of heart disease."
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Emily quietly asked,
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"So why did the case close?"
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Catherine sighed.
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"Because someone made sure it did."
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She reached into the file again.
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This time, she removed several laboratory reports.
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"The original toxicology samples disappeared."
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"The pathologist retired unexpectedly."
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"The lead detective resigned six months later."
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Alexander felt a chill.
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"They were paid."
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Catherine nodded.
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"Or threatened."
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"We've never been able to prove which."
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Daniel asked the question everyone was thinking.
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"Why didn't you tell Alexander?"
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Catherine's expression softened.
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"I wanted to."
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"Many times."
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"But every attempt failed."
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Alexander frowned.
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"What do you mean?"
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She handed him another folder.
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Inside were copies of letters.
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Dozens of them.
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Each addressed to Alexander.
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Each returned unopened.
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His heart sank.
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"I never received these."
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"I know."
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"They were intercepted."
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Alexander didn't need to ask by whom.
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Catherine continued.
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"Victoria controlled everyone around you."
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"Your assistants."
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"Your household staff."
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"Several members of your father's board of directors."
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"Even some law enforcement officials."
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Emily slowly shook her head.
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"How could one person have that much influence?"
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Catherine answered quietly.
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"Money."
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"And fear."
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Sophia tugged gently on Catherine's sleeve.
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The little girl looked up with innocent curiosity.
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"Are you really Daddy's aunt?"
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Catherine smiled warmly.
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"I am."
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Sophia thought for a moment.
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"Then you're my great-aunt."
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Catherine laughed softly.
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"I suppose I am."
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Sophia reached into her backpack.
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She carefully removed the tiny stuffed bear Daniel had bought her.
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"You can hold Mr. Buttons."
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"He makes people feel brave."
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For a moment, the room forgot about murder investigations and family betrayals.
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Catherine accepted the toy with trembling hands.
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"Thank you."
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"I think I needed him today."
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Daniel's phone suddenly vibrated.
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He glanced at the screen.
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Then immediately looked at Alexander.
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"We have another witness."
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Alexander straightened.
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"Who?"
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"The former Sterling family physician."
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Dr. Harold Simmons.
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Catherine's eyes widened.
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"I've been trying to locate him for years."
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Daniel nodded.
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"He just turned himself in."
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Alexander frowned.
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"Why now?"
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Daniel slowly lowered the phone.
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"He says..."
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"...he can't carry the guilt anymore."
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Two hours later.
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Federal agents escorted Dr. Harold Simmons into a secure interview room.
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The seventy-two-year-old physician looked exhausted.
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His shoulders slumped beneath the weight of decades of regret.
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The moment he saw Alexander...
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He removed his glasses.
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Tears filled his eyes.
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"I'm sorry."
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Alexander remained silent.
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The doctor continued.
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"I failed your father."
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"I failed you."
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"And I failed justice."
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Catherine activated the recording device.
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"Doctor Simmons."
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"Did Edward Sterling die of natural causes?"
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The old physician slowly shook his head.
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"No."
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The room became perfectly still.
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Dr. Simmons closed his eyes.
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Then whispered the truth he had hidden for twenty-five years.
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"He was poisoned."
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Alexander felt the world tilt beneath his feet.
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Emily instinctively reached for his hand.
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Dr. Simmons looked directly at Alexander.
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"I examined your father before he died."
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"I found traces of digitalis."
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"A powerful heart medication."
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"In high doses..."
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"...it can trigger what appears to be a fatal heart attack."
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Catherine's voice remained calm.
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"Who ordered you to change the report?"
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Dr. Simmons lowered his head.
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His answer came almost as a whisper.
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"Victoria Sterling."
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Then he reached into his worn leather briefcase.
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"I kept one piece of evidence."
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He placed a small sealed vial on the table.
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"This contains the original blood sample."
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"I've protected it for twenty-five years."
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"If modern testing confirms what I already know..."
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"...your father's murder will finally become undeniable."
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As everyone stared at the tiny vial...
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No one noticed the sniper positioned nearly a mile away on a distant ridge.
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His rifle was already aimed through the interview room window.
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May you like
His finger slowly tightened around the trigger.
End of Chapter 11
