Chapter 13 - Shadows of the Past
That summer, Marcus Reed’s federal trial concluded with a life sentence without the possibility of parole for racketeering, securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit capital murder. Julian watched the televised verdict from a small diner near the Camden docks, sitting quietly at a corner table while the television above the counter played the news anchor’s summary.
Seeing Reed in a faded prison jumpsuit, stripped of his tailored coats and boardroom authority, provoked no joy in Julian. Only a deep, cleansing release. The machine that had ground his family down into mistrust and paranoia had finally been broken beyond repair.
As Julian walked out of the diner into the warm ocean breeze, a sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb. David, Julian's former security chief, stepped out wearing a casual linen jacket, sunglasses tucked into his shirt.
"Boss," David greeted him with a nod.
"I'm not your boss anymore, David," Julian smiled, shaking the older man's hand. "What brings you all the way up to Maine?"
"The final filings are sealed with the SEC," David said, handing him a single manila folder. "Every asset is clean. The foundation has distributed the energy patents to thirty university research labs. Christopher's work is officially free."
May you like
Julian looked at the folder, then handed it back without opening it. "Keep it in the archives, David. I don't need to read it."
David looked surprised, then chuckled warmly. "I've worked for wealthy men for thirty years, Julian. You're the first one who ever walked away with less money than you started with and ended up richer."
