Chapter 15 - MATTHEWâS SENTENCE
Matthew pleaded guilty to fraud, conspiracy, theft, and obstruction.
His cooperation helped convict Richard and Camille.
It reduced his sentence.
It did not restore his reputation.
At sentencing, Matthew looked toward Gabriel.
âYou were my brother.â
âYou helped drug me.â
âI was afraid.â
âYou were also paid.â
âYes.â
âYou knew Evelyn had been murdered.â
âYes.â
The judge sentenced Matthew to fifteen years.
After court, reporters asked Gabriel whether he would visit.
âNo.â
âDo you forgive him?â
âI understand how the first bad decision happened.â
âThat does not make the twentieth decision safe.â
A friendship could contain genuine history and still become impossible to continue.
Matthew wrote letters from prison.
Gabriel read the first.
It contained apology, explanation, and requests for contact.
Gabriel placed it in the legal archive.
He did not reply.
May you like
Silence was not always avoidance.
Sometimes it was the end of access.
