Chapter 8 - PATRICIA'S LAST OFFER
Patricia requested a private meeting before trial.
Lucia agreed only with attorneys present.
Patricia looked older in the detention conference room, but her posture remained rigid.
She offered information about Elena’s death in exchange for Lucia supporting a reduced sentence.
“You know who ordered the car off the road?” Lucia asked.
Patricia looked at Andrés, who had attended at the prosecutor’s request.
“I ordered them to retrieve the trust papers. I did not order a crash.”
“Who were they?”
“Men hired by my brother, Charles.”
Charles Delacroix had died six years earlier.
Patricia claimed he escalated the plan without telling her.
Naomi asked why Patricia concealed Teresa’s survival.
“Because the truth would have destroyed us.”
Lucia leaned forward.
“The truth did not destroy this family. Your choices did.”
Patricia’s final offer was personal.
She would reveal an offshore account holding funds intended for Sofia and Valentina if Lucia allowed her supervised contact with them.
“No,” Lucia said.
“They are my granddaughters.”
“You treated them as stains on your name.”
“I can change.”
Lucia thought of Andrés using the same words.
“Change does not begin with a bargain.”
Patricia’s mouth tightened.
She gave up the account location anyway when prosecutors threatened additional charges.
The funds were recovered.
At trial, Patricia was convicted of fraud, obstruction, conspiracy, and financial exploitation. Evidence was insufficient to convict her for Elena’s death, but her role in the cover-up was established.
The judge sentenced her to prison.
Before officers led her away, Patricia looked at Lucia.
“You have the table now.”
May you like
Lucia answered quietly.
“No. I removed it.”
