Chapter 17 - THE OFFER
Three months after Christmas, David requested a meeting.
He had rejected every plea agreement offered by the special prosecutor.
His trial was six weeks away.
The evidence against him was overwhelming.
Still, he wanted to speak with me.
Maya arranged the meeting in a courthouse conference room.
Two deputies stood outside.
David entered wearing a gray detention uniform.
Without the suit, watch, and polished office, he looked smaller.
He studied me.
“You cut your hair.”
“Yes.”
“You always said you liked it long.”
“I said you liked it long.”
He sat across from me.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he smiled sadly.
“I miss you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You miss the person who believed you.”
His expression hardened.
“I came here to offer peace.”
“You came because your trial is approaching.”
“My mother may die in prison.”
“Sylvia is sixty-one and in excellent health.”
“She is terrified.”
“So was I.”
David leaned closer.
“I can plead guilty.”
“I can save everyone the spectacle.”
“In exchange, you tell the prosecutor the fall was more complicated than it appeared.”
“No.”
“You do not have to lie.”
“Just say you were dizzy.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Say my mother tried to catch you.”
“She pushed me.”
“Say I broke the phone accidentally.”
“You threw it against the wall.”
His jaw tightened.
“You’re enjoying this.”
I stared at him.
For years, David had treated certainty like cruelty whenever it came from me.
“No.”
“I am enduring this.”
“There is a difference.”
He lowered his voice.
“Your father will not remain Chief Justice forever.”
“That was always your mistake.”
“You thought this was about his power.”
“It is about evidence.”
“Witnesses.”
“Records.”
“Your own words.”
“You destroyed yourself before he ever answered the phone.”
David looked toward the door.
Then he tried one final weapon.
“Grace will ask about me.”
“Yes.”
“What will you tell her?”
“The truth appropriate for her age.”
“That you were once charming.”
“That you were admired.”
“That you chose control over love.”
“That when we needed you, you protected your reputation instead of her life.”
His eyes filled with anger.
“You cannot keep my daughter from me forever.”
“The court can.”
“I can.”
“And one day, she can decide for herself.”
I stood.
David remained seated.
“Anna.”
I stopped at the door.
“For what it’s worth, I did love you.”
I turned back.
“For what it’s worth, I loved you too.”
May you like
“That is why what you did was abuse.”
“Not proof that it wasn’t.”
