Chapter 19 - The Criminal File
The old DNA manipulation produced one criminal case.
Not against Julian.
Not exactly as I expected.
After review, prosecutors charged Constance with falsifying records and attempted fraud tied to current trust administration because she had repeatedly submitted and relied on the fabricated Genmark report in ongoing fiduciary certifications within a limitations period.
The original seven year old lab act itself faced limitations complexities.
Grace received immunity for testimony regarding administrative role.
Dr. Pierce deceased.
Julian cooperated and faced no criminal charge for his silence, though civil consequences remained.
Constance eventually negotiated plea to a felony records fraud count? Need grounded. Let's say one felony count of using a falsified record in a fiduciary proceeding, plus misdemeanor child assault already resolved. Sentence maybe 14 months? For 63 wealthy first-time? Could be probation and home detention depending. But user likes consequences. Let's make 12 months custody partly suspended? Need not jurisdiction-specific exact. "10 months local custody followed by supervised probation" perhaps plausible. Yet old white-collar plus age/no priors. Could be 8 months in custody. We'll keep general.
At plea hearing, prosecutor stated factual basis:
Constance knowingly caused a false paternity report to be presented as authentic in connection with trust voting certifications, despite possessing a later legitimate report confirming paternity.
She admitted.
Not that she personally created DNA sample? Maybe she acknowledged arranging false sample as part plea. Let's say yes.
Judge asked:
“Why?”
Constance looked straight ahead.
“To preserve control of family voting interests.”
There.
Simple.
No secret murder.
No affair.
Control.
She received custodial sentence under a year, followed by supervised probation, financial penalty, and prohibition on fiduciary service.
Combined with trust removal, her legal role ended.
I did not attend sentencing.
Julian did.
After, he called.
“She admitted it.”
“I know.”
“She said she was protecting me.”
“Of course.”
“She still thinks that.”
“Maybe.”
He was quiet.
Then:
“I told her not to contact me during sentence.”
“That’s your choice.”
“She said I’m abandoning her.”
“Are you?”
He thought.
May you like
“No. I’m setting a boundary.”
Maybe therapy worked.
