Chapter 9 - Judgment Day
Dominic eventually pleaded guilty after prosecutors presented the financial ledger, encrypted messages and recovered federal equipment.
The agreement spared the town a year-long trial, but it did not spare him punishment.
He received a lengthy federal prison sentence for theft, conspiracy and obstruction. Additional state charges were filed for witness intimidation and misconduct in office.
The National Guard stripped him of rank and benefits connected to his service misconduct.
His badge was removed from the courthouse display.
His name disappeared from the sheriff’s office door.
The reopened investigation into Deputy Aaron Pike’s death remained active. Prosecutors announced that further charges were possible.
Dominic’s brother and the logistics officer also accepted plea agreements.
The county commissioner who had signed false documents resigned and later faced prosecution.
Amelia was not imprisoned.
Her cooperation helped recover evidence and identify Dominic’s contacts. However, she pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing protected government information and received probation, community service and restrictions on handling sensitive data.
Our divorce became final three months after the diner incident.
We met once at an attorney’s office to sign the last documents.
Amelia looked tired but calmer.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“I believe you.”
She seemed surprised.
“You do?”
“I believe you’re sorry now.”
The distinction hurt her, but it was necessary.
“I kept thinking Dominic was strong,” she said. “He walked into every room like nobody could challenge him.”
“That isn’t strength.”
“I know that now.”
She looked at my hands.
“Do you ever think we could have fixed things?”
“Before Red Creek?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe.”
“And now?”
“No.”
Her eyes filled with tears, but she nodded.
This time, she did not ask me to rescue her from the consequences of her choices.
Before leaving, she placed my old wedding ring on the table.
“I found it in the drawer.”
I picked it up.
For eighteen years, that ring had represented loyalty, partnership and shared sacrifice.
Now it represented a lesson.
Love could survive distance, exhaustion and disagreement.
It could not survive deliberate betrayal without truth.
I slipped the ring into my pocket and walked out alone.
Outside, Noah waited beside a county vehicle.
The people of Red Creek had elected him interim sheriff until a special election could be held.
His new uniform looked uncomfortable on him.
“That badge too heavy?” I asked.
He smiled.
“A little.”
“Good. It should be.”
He looked toward the attorney’s office.
“You all right?”
“I will be.”
Noah nodded.
“Ruby says you still owe her for one strawberry milkshake.”
“I didn’t order it.”
May you like
“She says you wore most of it.”
For the first time in months, I laughed.
