Chapter 12 - Preston Finally Lost Control
Preston learned about the amendment during a closed court hearing.
According to his attorney, he became furious.
He accused Lillian of fabricating it.
He accused me of manipulating her.
He accused Caroline.
Natalie.
Hotel security.
Police.
The federal government.
Everyone except himself.
Then he made his first serious mistake without my parents beside him to clean it up.
He called me from jail.
The call was recorded.
I almost didn't answer.
Detective Reed encouraged me to.
Preston's voice came through the phone.
"Enjoying this?"
"No."
"Don't lie."
"I have nothing to enjoy."
"You've wanted this your entire life."
"What?"
"To take everything from me."
I looked across the room at Agent Kim.
She signaled for me to keep him talking.
"Grandpa left half to me."
"He didn't know you."
"He knew enough."
"You were always pathetic."
There was the Preston I knew.
"You followed Mom around begging for approval."
"You married a loser."
"You raised a weak little girl."
My jaw tightened.
"Don't talk about Sophie."
He laughed.
"Why?"
"That's the only reason anyone cares about you now."
I closed my eyes.
"Did you put the phone in her jacket?"
"No."
"Did Mom?"
Silence.
Then Preston said something revealing.
"She shouldn't have missed the inside pocket."
I looked at Agent Kim.
Her pen stopped moving.
Preston realized what he'd said.
Too late.
I continued.
"Why Sophie?"
"You know why."
"Say it."
"You wouldn't leave."
"So you used her."
"You forced me."
There it was.
The phrase people like Preston always used.
You forced me.
As though his decisions belonged to everyone except him.
"Did I force you to swing the board?"
Another silence.
Then he exploded.
"You stood in front of me!"
I stopped breathing.
His voice became louder.
"I told you to move!"
"You never listen!"
"Nobody was trying to hit the kid!"
"Then why did you swing?"
"Because you were supposed to move!"
The room became completely still.
He had admitted it.
He had intentionally swung the board.
He simply believed I was responsible because I refused to step aside.
Preston continued shouting.
"If you hadn't challenged me, none of this would've happened!"
I spoke quietly.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For explaining exactly who you are."
Then Agent Kim disconnected the call.
Preston's recorded confession devastated his defense.
But the next morning brought unexpected news.
My father wanted to cooperate.
Not because he felt remorse.
Because he wanted a deal.
May you like
And the person he was willing to testify against was his own son.
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