Chapter 13 - DEREK’S LAST ACTDerek survived Vance’s gunshot.
Barely.
I learned three weeks after the raid.
Witness protection hospital.
He had cooperated.
His testimony connected Vance to the cover-up.
I visited once.
He looked twenty years older.
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
He smiled weakly.
“I deserve that.”
Then he told me:
“I tried to stop Clara at the end.”
“What?”
“When she ran.”
“I grabbed her.”
“I thought I was helping.”
“She hit me.”
The bruise.
“Then Vance’s man went after her.”
“I froze.”
His eyes filled.
“That's what I do, Alex.”
“I freeze until somebody else pays.”
I looked at him.
For once, he had named himself accurately.
Derek served prison time for conspiracy and obstruction.
Reduced because of cooperation.
Not absolved.
May you like
Years later, maybe Lily would know he tried to help after causing harm.
Both truths could exist.
