Chapter 14 - THE LAST THING PRESTON LOST
We reached the safe location in twelve minutes.
Police were already everywhere.
One patrol car had a shattered window.
Officer Keller was bleeding from her forehead but standing.
“Where’s Sophie?”
“Inside.”
I pushed past her.
Vanessa was in the hallway holding Sophie behind her.
My daughter screamed, “Mom!”
I dropped to my knees.
She ran into me.
I checked her face.
Her arms.
Everything.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“Uncle Preston came.”
My entire body went cold.
Vanessa sat against the wall.
Her dress was torn at the shoulder.
“What happened?”
“He wanted Sophie.”
Her voice shook.
“I wouldn’t move.”
Sophie whispered, “She hit him with a lamp.”
Vanessa gave a weak laugh.
“A very expensive lamp.”
“Where is he?”
Keller answered.
“Garage.”
Then we heard a crash.
Police shouted.
Ruiz drew her weapon and ordered me back.
A minute later, Preston appeared at the end of the hallway.
Two officers behind him.
Blood ran from his lip.
His hands were raised.
His eyes found mine.
And somehow, even now, he looked offended.
Like I had done this to him.
“You destroyed everything,” he said.
I stared at him.
“No.”
He laughed.
“Dad’s company is done. Mom will never recover. Vanessa hates me.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“I don’t hate you.”
He looked almost hopeful.
Then she finished.
“I don’t know you.”
That hurt him more.
Preston looked at Sophie.
“You caused all this.”
I moved in front of her.
Ruiz snapped, “Don’t speak to the child.”
But Sophie peeked around me.
“No.”
Her voice was small.
Everyone stopped.
Preston stared at her.
Sophie swallowed.
“You put your phone in my pocket.”
He said nothing.
“You lied.”
Still nothing.
“And Mommy found out.”
Preston’s face twisted.
“You little—”
Two officers slammed him against the wall before he finished.
Sophie flinched.
I covered her ears.
Ruiz cuffed him.
As they dragged him away, he shouted at Dad, at Vanessa, at me.
Promises.
Threats.
Excuses.
Nobody answered.
The elevator doors closed on him.
For the first time in my life, my brother disappeared without controlling what happened next.
Six months later, Thomas Harris pleaded guilty and agreed to testify.
Preston was charged with conspiracy related to Daniel’s death, fraud, witness intimidation, evidence tampering, assault, and several other offenses.
The financial case uncovered more than anyone expected.
Millions stolen.
Fake companies.
Bribed contractors.
People he had threatened for years.
But his biggest mistake had been simple.
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He picked the wrong eight-year-old girl to frame.
And he underestimated her mother.
