Chapter 11 - THE PRICE OF LOYALTY
Garrett Mohei was charged in connection with the financial conspiracy and related offenses supported by the investigation.
The legal process took time.
There were hearings.
Lawyers.
Documents.
Arguments.
Aurelio testified.
So did several former associates.
Marin gave a statement about what she had observed.
She was careful.
She explained that lip-reading was imperfect.
That she had seen fragments.
That she had written them down immediately.
Her notes became one part of a larger body of evidence.
Not the entire case.
But an early warning that helped investigators identify the pattern.
During one hearing, Garrett looked directly at Aurelio.
“You're throwing away thirty years.”
Aurelio held his gaze.
“No.”
Garrett frowned.
Aurelio continued.
“You did that.”
For the first time, Garrett looked old.
Not frightening.
Not powerful.
Just tired.
Afterward, Aurelio stood outside the courthouse.
Marin approached.
“Are you okay?”
He looked at her.
“I don't know.”
She nodded.
He continued.
“He was like family.”
Marin looked toward the courthouse doors.
“Then it hurts more.”
Aurelio swallowed.
“Yes.”
She didn't tell him to forgive Garrett.
Didn't tell him to forget.
She simply stood beside him.
After a while, Aurelio said:
“Thank you.”
Marin smiled faintly.
“You say that a lot.”
He looked at her.
“I'm learning.”
May you like
She laughed.
And for the first time, he laughed with her.
