She gave them every password, every ledger, and every dummy account name.

Because of her cooperation, the district attorney agreed to a plea bargain.

She received a significantly reduced sentence of eighteen months.

I met her in a small conference room before she was transported to the facility.

The room smelled of stale coffee and industrial cleaner.

“I am sorry, Evelyn,” Sloane said, staring at her clasped hands on the wood table.

“I wanted the partnership so badly I chose not to see the truth.”

“You helped him steal from my daughter,” I said quietly.

“I know,” she whispered.

“And I will pay for that every day.”

I did not offer her forgiveness, but I felt no anger left for her.

She was simply another piece of debris in Nolan’s wake.

Nolan had no leverage left to buy his way out.

The state denied his bail, citing him as a flight risk.

He sat in a county jail cell, awaiting trial on charges of grand larceny and fraud.

His expensive defense lawyers withdrew from the case when his personal accounts were frozen.