Chapter 36 - Victor's Last CourtroomVictor Dane expected Clara to visit him.
She did not.
He requested Sienna.
She refused.
He requested Evelyn.
She sent one sentence.
NO MORE AUDIENCES.
Arthur's arrest reopened dozens of cases.
Victor was charged again.
This time, prosecutors did not build the case around hidden money.
They built it around names.
One hundred and seventeen victims were identified.
Forty-two were alive.
Twenty-six had lived under false identities for decades.
Nine had unknowingly married under names that legally belonged to dead children.
Families were reunited.
Others chose not to reunite.
That mattered to Clara.
Restoration was not the same as forced reconciliation.
At Victor's final hearing, Clara attended only because several victims asked her to.
Victor turned when she entered.
He smiled.
"You came."
Clara sat behind the prosecutors.
"Not for you."
His smile weakened.
Sienna sat beside her.
Ethan sat two rows behind.
Samuel sat beside him under his restored name.
Evelyn did not attend.
Arthur testified for three days.
He attempted to portray Victor as the sole architect.
Documents proved otherwise.
Arthur had ordered disappearances after Victor's imprisonment.
Victor had created disciples because he believed systems were stronger than individuals.
He was right.
What he failed to understand was that systems could also be dismantled by people working together.
The judge imposed sentences ensuring neither man would ever control another life outside prison.
Victor asked to address Clara.
The judge allowed one sentence.
Victor turned.
"Everything you have exists because men like me protected your family."
Clara stood.
The judge looked at her.
She had not been granted a response.
But one of the victims whispered:
"Say it."
Clara looked directly at Victor.
"No."
The courtroom became silent.
Victor waited.
Clara continued.
May you like
"Everything I have exists because we survived men like you."
For the first time since Clara had known his name, Victor Dane had nothing to say.
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