Chapter 9 - THE LAST GHOST
Sebastian Cross went to trial the following winter.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Murder.
Conspiracy.
Racketeering.
Bribery.
Witness intimidation.
He was seventy-one years old and still entered court every morning as if everyone belonged to him.
Until Maria’s recording played.
Damian sat behind prosecutors.
Elena held his hand.
Maria’s voice filled the courtroom.
Sebastian looked at Damian.
For the first time, Damian saw something he had never seen in his uncle.
Fear.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on nearly every major count.
Sebastian would die in prison.
Outside the courthouse reporters surrounded Damian.
“Mr. Cross, do you consider this revenge?”
He looked into the cameras.
“No.”
“What do you consider it?”
“The end.”
That evening he visited his mother’s grave.
Elena waited by the car.
Sophie insisted on going with him.
She placed a yellow flower beside Maria’s headstone.
“Is this your mommy?”
“Yes.”
“Does she know me?”
Damian swallowed.
“I’d like to think so.”
Sophie nodded.
“I think she likes me.”
“Why?”
“I saved your wedding.”
Damian laughed.
“You ruined my wedding.”
“Exactly.”
She skipped back toward Elena.
Damian remained beside the grave.
“I lost everything,” he whispered.
Then looked at Elena and Sophie.
“No.”
He smiled.
“I guess I didn’t.”
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For the first time since he was eight, Damian walked away from Maria’s grave without feeling like he was leaving her behind.
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