Moments later, another figure ran into frame.
Ethan.
Too late.
Always too late.
“My God…” someone whispered.
The prosecutor stood immediately.
“Your Honor, I request immediate suspension of the sentence, the arrest of Mr. Richard Vaughn, and a full investigation into obstruction of justice, bribery, conspiracy, and murder.”
Richard smiled again.
But this time, it was fractured.
Desperate.
“And you’re basing all of this on a planted device?” he snapped. “A video anyone could fake?”
Then another audio began.
A different voice.
Shaking.
“If you’re hearing this… I’m probably already dead.”
The room went completely still.
“My name is Daniel Cruz. I’ve been Richard Vaughn’s driver for nine years. I recorded this because I saw him order Mr. Hayes’ murder and frame Ethan Brooks. He bribed Detective Harris and the witness Nolan. If anything happens to me, look for the red notebook in the guest house at Silver Creek. It has everything—dates, payments, names.”
Olivia’s eyes widened.
“Daniel…” she whispered.
Ethan turned to her.
“You know him?”
She hesitated too long.
“He… he followed me twice near the hospital when I was pregnant.”
A cold wave hit Ethan.
“And you never told me?”