Chapter 9 - THE TRUTH ABOUT EVAN WALSH
The breakthrough came from a former accountant.
His name was Daniel Mercer.
He had worked for one of the shell companies connected to Gallo's operation.
After investigators approached him, he agreed to cooperate.
He confirmed that Evan Walsh had discovered a financial scheme involving illegal gambling proceeds and falsified shipping invoices.
Evan had copied records.
He intended to turn them over to authorities.
But Raymond Pike learned what he was doing.
Pike threatened him.
Then arranged for Evan to be drugged and abandoned in a motel room.
The death was made to resemble an overdose.
Eden sat in Detective Ortiz's office as the truth unfolded.
She couldn't stop crying.
Her brother hadn't relapsed.
He hadn't chosen to abandon his family.
He had been murdered.
Ortiz handed her a tissue.
"I'm sorry."
Eden shook her head.
"For three years, people told us he did it to himself."
Ortiz nodded.
"I know."
Eden covered her face.
"My mother died believing that."
The detective waited.
Then said quietly:
"Your brother was trying to do the right thing."
Eden looked up.
"Will Pike go to prison?"
Ortiz nodded.
"He's facing serious charges."
Eden swallowed.
"And Gallo?"
"He's cooperating."
She stared.
"After what he did?"
Ortiz's expression remained serious.
"Cooperation doesn't erase responsibility."
Eden looked down.
For the first time in three years, she had answers.
They didn't bring Evan back.
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But they gave her something she had almost forgotten.
The truth.
