Chapter 8 - THE TRIAL OF NIKOLAI MALENKOV
Nikolai's trial began eleven months after Aliyah fell into Victor.
The prosecution's case did not claim a simple movie-style murder.
Reality was uglier.
Financial crimes.
Conspiracy.
Bribery.
Obstruction.
Witness intimidation.
Evidence that Nikolai ordered Elena followed.
Evidence that Soren received payments after administering the fatal medication combination.
Evidence that both men falsified documentation afterward.
Soren cooperated.
Cowards often do when sentencing begins becoming real.
He testified Nikolai told him:
“She cannot speak to Victor tonight.”
Soren insisted he had intended only deep sedation.
The prosecution argued intent mattered less than the deliberate concealment afterward.
Aliyah testified about Renee's records.
June testified about the pump log.
Victor testified about Elena's call.
He did not look at Nikolai until the prosecutor asked:
“Did you consider retaliating outside the law?”
The courtroom became very still.
Victor answered:
“Yes.”
His attorney probably hated him.
The prosecutor continued.
“Why didn't you?”
Victor looked toward Aliyah.
Only once.
Then toward the jury.
“Because my wife explicitly asked me not to turn her death into another act of violence.”
No heroic speech.
Just truth.
Nikolai was convicted on multiple counts.
Soren pleaded guilty under a separate agreement.
The exact legal label attached to Elena's death remained less satisfying than Victor wanted.
No verdict resurrected her.
After court, reporters surrounded him.
One asked:
“Do you feel justice was done?”
Victor stopped.
Aliyah expected some cold statement.
Instead:
“No.”
Reporters went silent.
Victor continued.
“Justice would've been my wife leaving that hospital alive.”
He looked toward the courthouse.
“This is accountability.”
May you like
Then walked away.
Aliyah loved him a little more for knowing the difference.
