Chapter 22 - Victor’s Parole Hearing
Victor became eligible for parole consideration at sixty five after decades served, credits, and sentence structure.
Eligibility did not mean release.
Victim services notified me.
I had long stopped thinking daily.
Then letter brought body memory back.
Cold hands.
Snow.
I could submit statement.
Attend remotely.
Oppose.
Support.
Say nothing.
I asked Lucas.
“What are you doing?”
He said:
“I’ll write.”
Not instruct me.
Good.
My statement:
“I do not believe Victor is same man he was at thirty five. I also do not believe change erases the planning, the attempt to kill a pregnant wife, or decades of consequence. I ask board to evaluate public safety, accountability, conduct, and law, not my desire for revenge.”
I did not demand forever.
Lucas wrote:
“I have limited contact with my biological father. I believe he has shown remorse to me. I do not know what risk he presents outside.”
Honest.
Victor appeared.
Gray.
Thin.
He had no disciplinary infractions in many years.
Completed programs.
Maintained employment inside.
Paid remaining obligations through seized assets long ago, little left.
He spoke:
“I planned Elena’s death for money. I involved Serena and corrupted insurance system. I knew my son would die if plan worked. I denied because I wanted to save myself.”
There.
The confession I once wanted.
Thirty years late.
Then:
“I do not ask Elena to forgive.”
Then:
“If released, I will live with sister? He has no sister established. Maybe supervised housing.”
His mother dead.
He had an older cousin Robert.
Plan in transitional housing, then approved.
Board denied first application, citing gravity and need further time despite good conduct.
Next review in several years.
I felt relief.
Then guilt for relief.
Therapist long retired, new counselor? I could process alone.
No need.
At next hearing three years later, board granted supervised parole after roughly thirty years served? Victor age 68. Sentence 32 years, perhaps enough.
Strict supervision.
No contact Elena absent written consent.
Contact Lucas only if Lucas chooses.
No financial fiduciary jobs.
Treatment.
He moved to Colorado Springs transitional apartment.
Did I fear?
Some.
Security review.
No stalking.
Months.
Years.
He followed.
He worked inventory clerk.
No company.
No money.
No public redemption tour.
Lucas met him twice a year.
I did not.
Then one day Victor sent through lawyer:
I will never contact you unless you ask.
I filed.
No answer.
That was closure.
Then Serena.
By then she had completed sentence long ago, supervision, lived quiet in Oregon, worked retail management. No contact.
Martin died? We can say Martin died at 74 natural stroke after release, no contact. His restitution/forfeiture closed. Fine.
Then Cross Atlantic control monitor long completed.
No open regulator case.
Then the $50m claim file archived as fraud case.
No payout ever.
The number that once motivated murder became accounting line with zero paid.
That felt appropriate.
Then Lucas asked:
“Would you see Victor once?”
“Why?”
“I think he wants apologize to you.”
“He already did at parole.”
“Not directly.”
“Do you want me to?”
“No. I wondered.”
I considered.
Years.
Then said:
“Maybe when I’m ready.”
May you like
I was not.
No need force.
