Chapter 10 - Serena’s Deal
Serena’s final plea took months.
Prosecutors did not give immunity because she had helped plan.
She pled guilty to conspiracy to commit attempted murder? Technically conspiracy to commit first-degree murder even if victim survives can be charged. Let's phrase "conspiracy to murder Elena" without statute.
Also identity fraud and insurance fraud.
In exchange, she testified against Victor and Martin where relevant, and prosecutors dismissed a separate higher enhancement that could have increased sentence significantly.
Recommended sentence:
Twelve years? Given she knowingly lured pregnant woman to murder scene and did nothing, 12-18 years. Let's choose 14 years, with parole/credits per law. That's serious.
Her attorney argued she never touched me and tried to stop Victor verbally.
The recording included:
“Victor, stop.”
But then she left.
She had known plan before.
She accepted money promise.
The judge later would decide.
Before plea, Serena requested to write me.
I said no.
Then months later I changed.
Not because forgive.
Because I wanted one answer.
Did she ever like me?
Victim advocate arranged written question through counsel.
Serena answered:
Yes.
That angered more than no.
She wrote:
I liked you and envied you at the same time. Victor told me your marriage was dead and you stayed because of money. I chose to believe him because it made what I was doing easier.
Then:
When I learned policy plan, I told myself it was just Victor talking. Then I helped with verification. After that I told myself I was already trapped.
Then:
I could have stopped at dozens of points.
Good.
Then:
At cliff, I saw you move after you landed.
There.
I had suspected.
Now confirmed.
Then:
I wanted to call 911. Victor took my phone for about ten minutes. After we got car, he gave it back. I still did not call.
Important.
He physically took phone briefly, but she later had agency.
Then:
I am sorry.
I did not respond.
Then sentencing after her cooperation concluded? Later after Victor trial maybe. But we can preview.
She testified in grand jury.
Then Martin accepted plea too.
He admitted insurance fraud conspiracy, commercial bribery, obstruction.
He would face maybe 9 years.
He did not testify to murder because no knowledge.
His evidence against Victor:
Victor explicitly asked “How fast can claim pay if body not recovered?”
Martin said months normally.
Victor:
“We need catastrophe exception.”
Martin:
“There still needs legal death proof.”
Victor:
“I’ll create enough.”
Martin knew fraud.
Then “after Saturday” maybe.
No murder admission to Martin.
Then Victor’s federal and state cases.
Prosecutors negotiated global? Could combine plea but Victor refused.
He wanted trial.
Why?
He believed audio context could be challenged and Serena untrustworthy.
He also could not accept attempted murder conviction.
His lawyer developed theory:
I discovered affair, became hysterical, moved toward cliff.
Victor grabbed.
I fell.
After fall, he believed I was dead and said cruel things in shock.
The “worth more than you” audio?
He claimed referring to marital financial dispute, not motive.
“Then storm will”?
Panic, dark humor.
Not persuasive but defense only needs reasonable doubt.
Policy fraud?
He might admit financial fraud separate, argue no murder intent.
This separation was his best chance.
Then my testimony.
I dreaded.
Trauma therapy began with Dr. Helen Shaw.
She said:
“You don't need memorize story.”
“I already do.”
“Memory after trauma can have gaps.”
“I have audio.”
“That doesn’t make your body stop remembering.”
I hated therapy phrases until one was right.
Then nightmares.
Falling.
No ledge.
Lucas crying from below.
I woke gripping sheets.
Adrian offered sleep specialist.
I took doctor referral through own physician, not him.
No need resist help to prove independence.
Then physical recovery.
Wrist healed after surgery with some stiffness.
Ribs six weeks.
Pelvic fracture eight.
Facial scar faded.
C section.
Walking.
I used cane briefly.
Lucas gained.
At four months, he laughed.
Adrian was there.
He made ridiculous sound.
Lucas laughed again.
Adrian looked triumphant.
“Grandpa.”
I rolled eyes.
“Don’t campaign.”
“I said nothing.”
“You thought loudly.”
He laughed.
Then one day Lucas grabbed his finger.
May you like
I realized relationship had formed without title.
That was safer.
