Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT THE SENATOR FELL
The first arrests came on a Tuesday.
Ethan Whitcomb was charged in connection with the assault and intimidation.
Several Meridian associates faced charges related to threats, unauthorized access to records, and financial crimes.
Senator Charles Whitcomb denied involvement.
Then investigators presented financial evidence linking him to the trust diversion.
He resigned from his committee leadership.
Days later, he announced he would not seek reelection.
The media descended on the story.
Reporters gathered outside the hospital.
Outside Kate's apartment.
Outside the Blackwell estate.
Kate hated the attention.
She wanted her mother to rest.
She wanted her arm to heal.
She wanted to walk down a street without cameras.
Damon understood.
He arranged for her to have privacy and transportation when she requested it, without placing conditions on the help.
One evening, Kate found him in the estate library.
He was staring at an old photograph of his grandfather.
“Do you hate them?” she asked.
Damon looked up.
“Who?”
“The Whitcombs.”
He considered.
“I hate what they did.”
Kate nodded.
He looked at her.
“But I don't want revenge to become the thing that defines us.”
She studied him.
“Then what do you want?”
Damon smiled faintly.
“Something better.”
Kate felt her heart shift.
May you like
Not because he was powerful.
But because, for the first time, he seemed willing to use that power differently.
