Chapter 17 - The Confession
Diane did not confess at the glassworks.
She confessed three days later.
Not because she was sorry.
Because Frank Deller took a deal.
Because Jonathan Vale testified.
Because the clinic records existed.
Because Stephen’s letters existed.
Because the forged revocation existed.
Because Michael had saved her life after she tried to destroy his.
Her attorneys told her a jury would hate that detail.
Diane agreed to a recorded proffer.
Michael and Emma watched from another room.
“I moved company money,” Diane said. “Yes.”
“How much?” the prosecutor asked.
“Approximately forty-seven million over thirty years.”
“Why?”
“To secure voting blocs. To cover debt. To prevent hostile control.”
“To benefit yourself?”
“Sometimes.”
“Did you forge Richard Bennett’s trust revocation?”
“Yes.”
“Did you arrange false DNA documents concerning Lily Bennett?”
“Yes.”
“Did you order Frank Deller to destroy security footage?”
“Yes.”
“Did you intentionally release Lily Bennett from the balcony?”
Diane went silent.
Michael’s hand tightened around Emma’s.
The prosecutor waited.
Finally Diane said, “I believed if there was no child, the trust would remain under my control.”
Emma stopped breathing.
The prosecutor asked again. “Did you let her go?”
“Yes.”
Emma closed her eyes.
Michael looked at the floor.
There it was.
No argument.
No excuse.
No misunderstanding.
The prosecutor continued. “What happened to Stephen Bennett?”
Diane’s lawyer leaned toward her.
Diane ignored him.
“He confronted me about the money.”
“Did you kill him?”
“No.”
“Did Frank Deller?”
“No.”
“Then why did he die hours after meeting you?”
Diane looked toward the one-way glass.
“I gave him something to calm down.”
“What?”
“A medication from the clinic.”
“Did you know it could stop his heart?”
Diane’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Michael stood and left the room.
Emma followed.
In the hallway, he pressed both hands against the wall.
“My whole family.”
Emma touched his back.
“No.”
He turned.
“She poisoned my uncle. Lied about my father. Tried to kill our daughter.”
Emma shook her head.
“That is what she did to your family.”
May you like
Michael looked at her.
“It is not what your family is.”
