Chapter 13 - Richard’s Version
Richard went to trial.
He refused every major plea.
His story:
Daniel panicked.
Melissa was angry about inheritance.
They argued near shaft.
Daniel shoved.
Richard tried to stop.
Then after fall, he believed we were dead and helped stage disappearance because Daniel threatened him.
It required Richard to be cowardly rather than murderous.
His lawyer preferred that.
Evidence:
Sophie saw Richard block us.
I felt his hand on my coat before fall.
Ethan recorded Richard later saying:
They hit hard enough.
If they’re alive…
Then sealing.
Purchases.
Documents.
Emails.
The jury would decide.
Before trial, Richard’s attorney attacked Ethan.
Paid investigator.
Worked for Evelyn.
Had motive to frame.
Ethan admitted he disliked Richard by end.
Then showed full invoices.
Evelyn paid him fixed investigative fee.
No bonus.
No trust interest.
No percentage.
Then they attacked me.
Financial motive.
If Richard convicted, his remaining income interest might be affected.
I answered:
“I did not know what the trust said when he pushed me.”
Then Sophie.
Prosecutors wanted to minimize courtroom trauma.
Her recorded forensic interview captured within days was admissible in some contexts, but defense had confrontation rights depending rules. The court arranged protected testimony with accommodations.
She still had to answer questions.
I hated it.
Sophie sat with therapy dog nearby.
Defense attorney was careful.
“Did you see your grandfather push your mother?”
“Yes.”
“Where were you?”
“Mom was holding me.”
“Could Daniel’s push have caused everything?”
“Grandpa pushed too.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Then:
“You were scared.”
“Yes.”
“Sometimes scared people remember things wrong.”
Sophie looked at him.
“Sometimes adults lie too.”
The judge almost smiled.
I did not.
Then Ethan.
Then Daniel.
Orange jail clothing? Probably suit. He testified under plea.
Richard would not look at him.
Daniel said:
“Dad told me if Melissa and Sophie disappeared, we could challenge Mom’s trust without them.”
Then:
“He said Claire would fold once no one funded litigation.”
Did Richard push?
“Yes.”
Did he order SUV staged?
“Yes.”
Did he order fake email?
“Yes.”
Did Daniel participate voluntarily?
“Yes.”
Important.
Then defense:
“You are facing less time for blaming your father.”
“Yes.”
“Why believe you?”
“Don’t. Believe the files.”
Strong.
Then financial records.
Silver Peak.
Forged pledge.
Diane.
Box 214.
Richard’s motive clear.
Then Richard testified.
Risky.
He described Evelyn as confused.
Controlling.
Vindictive.
Said she turned children against him.
Then prosecutor played Evelyn’s capacity video.
Clear.
Then Richard:
“She had good days.”
“So she could be competent.”
“Sometimes.”
Then:
“Did you disclose eighteen point four million offer?”
“I thought it wasn’t firm.”
Emails said firm subject to diligence.
Then:
“Did you tell Evelyn four million?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because after liabilities that was what I thought rights were worth.”
Independent appraisal disagreed.
Then:
“Did you create Silver Peak with Daniel?”
“Yes.”
“Would you profit from resale?”
“Yes.”
Then the shaft.
Richard insisted:
“I never intended Melissa to fall.”
Prosecutor showed handwritten note:
M + S resolved before hearing.
“What does resolved mean?”
“Settlement.”
Then:
“Why did you buy hatch hardware?”
“To secure dangerous shaft.”
“Three days before bringing Melissa there?”
Silence.
Then recording:
They hit hard enough.
The courtroom changed.
Richard heard his own voice.
No explanation.
Then verdict.
Guilty.
Attempted murder of me.
Attempted murder of Sophie.
Conspiracy.
Evidence tampering.
Fraud related counts.
Some financial counts severed/resolved separately.
He closed his eyes.
I felt nothing for several seconds.
May you like
Then relief came as exhaustion.
Continue to the next part: Richard’s conviction settles who planned the mine attack, but the sentencing hearing forces Melissa to confront whether losing her father means anything after what he chose to do.
