The Cost of Truth and the Fall of the Richards Family Dynasty
Eleanor stood up from the sofa and walked over to the table.
She watched my face as I read the screen.
The words seemed to blur together, but one sentence stood out clearly.
*No person shall be prosecuted, tried, or punished for any offense unless the indictment is found within…*
My throat went dry.
“No,” I muttered.
“Natalie?” Eleanor asked, her hand touching my shoulder. “What does it say?”
I stared at the screen, my mind racing as the reality of the situation began to settle in.
“General,” I said into the phone, my voice barely a whisper.
“I’m here, Natalie,” Avery replied.
“If this is true,” I said, “then the journal isn’t enough.”
“It’s not,” Avery said quietly.
“He knew,” I said, the realization hitting me like a physical blow.
“Gregory knew the whole time.”
The phone in my hand suddenly beeped again, indicating another incoming call.
This time, the caller ID showed a number from the federal courthouse in San Francisco.
I looked at the screen, my thumb hovering over the accept button.
I slid my thumb across the glass and answered the call.