The lawyer tried to regain his footing, asking about my relationship with Gabriel Vale.

“Is it not true that you are currently residing with Mr. Vale, a man who runs a private intelligence firm?”

“He is a security consultant,” I said.

“And he assisted me in securing the physical evidence that my father had attempted to destroy.”

“He did so legally, under the supervision of the federal authorities.”

The lawyer looked at the judge, then back at his notes.

He knew he had nothing left.

“No further questions,” he said, sitting down.

“The witness may step down,” the judge said.

I walked back to the prosecution table and sat down.

Gabriel caught my eye from the gallery and gave me a warm, reassuring smile.

The hard part was over.

The truth was on the record, preserved in the court transcripts and backed by physical evidence that could not be erased.

As the next witness, an FBI forensic accountant, took the stand, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.

I looked over at the defense table.

Richard was staring straight ahead, his eyes vacant.