Chapter 10 - Let the Next One Stick
The voice memo became centerpiece.
Luke alone.
No one prompting.
“Need one more year.”
Then:
“Refi Maple and Grant properties. Replace Caroline trust transfers. Then next pregnancy can go through. Child trigger won’t matter.”
Then a pause.
“Let the next one stick.”
He said it like postponing a construction project.
The defense argued:
Metaphor.
He meant hoping future pregnancy survives after finances stabilized, not causing current ones.
Possible.
Then another memo three weeks before pregnancy 4 loss:
She started new powder. Keep consistent.
That was harder.
“Keep consistent” could mean routine.
But combined.
Then calendar “SUPP.”
Purchase.
Toxicology.
The state’s theory became strong.
Luke knowingly administered a harmful substance during pregnancy 4 and current pregnancy to prevent live birth until he could restore misused trust funds.
Did he intend fetal death specifically?
The state argued he intended pregnancy termination or serious harm.
Defense argued only intended to make me ill and delay? That doesn't help much.
Then current boiling water.
Why if drug was already in system?
Toxicology showed levels modest, perhaps insufficient alone to guarantee loss.
Luke had become desperate at thirty-four weeks.
He used violence.
Then sex accusation.
Why scream “supposed to give me a son” when he knew past were boys?
Because gender was psychological weapon.
Dr. Leah Brooks explained not at trial maybe but therapy.
“He chose an impossible accusation. If reality contradicts, he controls information.”
He knew sons existed only in records I could not see.
He made me believe I failed.
That kept me ashamed.
Shame isolated me.
Then one more financial twist.
Luke’s properties were not as ruined as he claimed.
A refinance offer had come through two months before current pregnancy.
He could have replaced most trust money.
Why didn't he?
Because he used $160,000 expected refinance proceeds to purchase another property under contract.
He kept expanding.
Even when exit appeared, he chose more leverage.
That destroyed defense theory that he only needed time to repair.
He always needed next deal.
Then transfers.
The forensic accountant, Nora Briggs, traced:
$410k remaining trust.
$250k recoverable from Mercer Holdings as receivable.
$90k HELOC used on properties.
$80k mortgage paydown.
$36k household/credit.
Some market gains.
Some losses.
No hidden offshore fortune.
No mistress.
No gambling.
His addiction was control and expansion.
He believed he could fix tomorrow.
Then I remembered his favorite phrase:
“Cash is temporary. Assets are forever.”
Apparently so were consequences.
Then plea negotiations.
Prosecutor Marcus Lee met with me and victim advocate.
Possible plea:
Luke admits current poisoning, home burn, hospital assault, financial theft.
State dismisses charge alleging he caused pregnancy 4 loss because causation contested.
Sentence recommendation maybe 14 to 18 years.
If trial, risk acquittal on some, higher exposure if convicted.
I sat.
“What about baby I lost?”
Marcus said:
“We can present the loss in sentencing context only if plea factual basis supports relevant conduct, but he may not admit causing it.”
I hated.
“Then he gets away.”
“No. Not necessarily. But I won't tell you trial is guaranteed.”
I needed days.
Rebecca did not advise as prosecutor.
She said:
“As sister, I’ll sit.”
Then Luke rejected first offer himself.
He would admit hospital assault only.
Good.
No decision.
Trial.
Then divorce.
Luke’s civil attorney proposed settlement:
I keep majority inheritance.
He keeps Mercer Holdings.
House sold.
Mutual waiver.
But Mercer Holdings contained my diverted funds.
Dana said no.
We sought accounting.
The receiver found equity around $390,000 after debts.
My claim could absorb much.
Then marital home equity $120k.
Joint retirement.
No huge.
Settlement later.
Then Emma’s first birthday approached.
I hated dates.
One year since attack near birth.
I considered party.
Small.
Rebecca.
Carol.
Mason? not yet.
Two friends.
No Luke family pressure.
Carrot cake without nuts.
Emma smashed frosting.
I cried.
Carol gave a wooden music box.
Asked first.
Yes.
Then after party, I found myself staring at Emma.
A year.
Luke had wanted one more year.
He lost it.
Not because justice poetic.
Because she lived.
Then trial date set for six months later.
I would testify.
So would Dr. Warren.
Nurse Carla.
Mason.
Eric.
Forensic accountant.
Toxicologist.
Luke would decide whether to.
May you like
And the defense had one weapon I feared most.
Every time a doctor had asked if I felt safe, I had said yes.
