Chapter 13 - The Courtroom
The criminal cases unfolded over months.
Charles Voss faced charges related to fraud, conspiracy, unauthorized procurement schemes, and obstruction.
Mark cooperated.
His cooperation helped prosecutors.
It did not erase what he had done.
He pleaded guilty to financial fraud, unauthorized access, document theft, and related offenses.
At sentencing, he asked permission to speak.
I sat quietly with David beside me.
Mark turned toward me.
“I spent years blaming everyone else.”
He swallowed.
“Voss.”
“Money.”
“Pressure.”
“My marriage.”
He looked down.
“But nobody forced me to lie.”
Nobody moved.
“Nobody forced me to cheat.”
Claire sat several rows behind me.
“Nobody forced me to steal.”
Mark looked toward me again.
“And nobody forced me to throw my pregnant wife out of our home.”
His voice cracked.
“That was me.”
I felt no satisfaction.
Only closure.
“I called Anna dead weight.”
He shook his head.
“The truth is, she was carrying our child, her career, her family responsibilities, and most of our marriage while I was carrying excuses.”
For once, he had said something completely true.
The judge imposed sentence.
Not the maximum.
Not insignificant.
Mark would lose years.
Afterward, Claire approached me outside the courthouse.
“Colonel.”
“Claire.”
“I’m transferring.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
She paused.
“But I think I need a fresh start.”
I understood.
“So do I.”
She smiled faintly.
“Congratulations on the command.”
“Thank you.”
She started walking away.
Then stopped.
“Anna?”
“Yes?”
“For what it’s worth, he talked about you constantly.”
I frowned.
“Mark?”
“He was jealous of you before he even knew who you really were.”
That stayed with me.
Because suddenly I understood something.
May you like
Mark hadn’t hated my weakness.
He had hated the possibility that I might be stronger than him.
