Chapter 13 - The Verdict Freed the Missing Patients, but Gabriel Still Had One Promise to Keep
The jury returned after three days.
I held my mother's hand.
Gabriel sat on my other side.
Vincent rose for the verdict.
The foreperson read the findings.
Guilty on the central conspiracy charges.
Guilty on multiple fraud counts.
Guilty on witness intimidation.
Other charges remained for separate proceedings.
Vincent didn't look at us.
He stared at the floor.
I expected triumph.
Instead, I felt tired.
The investigation continued for months.
Patients were reunited with families.
Others chose new lives privately.
My mother began counseling.
My father cooperated with prosecutors.
His own legal responsibility was reviewed.
I visited him carefully.
Some days we talked.
Some days we didn't.
Gabriel underwent another procedure.
This time, qualified surgeons cared for him.
I waited outside.
When he woke, he smiled.
“You look worried.”
“I'm allowed.”
He held out his hand.
“Thank you for staying.”
“I stayed because I wanted to.”
A month later, he took me to the coast.
We stood outside the former rehabilitation center.
Investigators had searched it thoroughly.
His father had not survived.
But they had found a letter.
It was addressed to Gabriel.
He read it slowly.
Then he folded it against his chest.
“What's it say?” I asked.
He looked at the water.
“That I should stop living like I'm already gone.”
I leaned against him.
“Sounds like good advice.”
May you like
He kissed my forehead.
“I think I'll take it.”
