Chapter 9 - The Unsent Silk
In a federal holding facility fifty miles outside the city, Reginald Voss sat in a visitor’s room with cinderblock walls and a single reinforced glass window.
He wore an orange jumpsuit that hung loosely on his once-architectural frame. His silver hair was unstyled, his silver cane replaced by a plastic walking frame provided by the prison medical unit.
Across from him sat Harrison Vance.
“Julian’s plea was accepted this morning,” Harrison said quietly, setting a briefcase on his knees. “Twelve years. He’ll serve his time at a medium-security facility downstate.”
Reginald stared at his hands—hands that had once signed multi-million dollar city contracts, now grey and liver-spotted under the fluorescent lights.
“And the company?” Reginald asked, his voice a dry rasp.
“Voss Industrial is being broken up by the bankruptcy trustee,” Harrison said. “The rail division was bought by a Canadian conglomerate. The chemical holdings were liquidated to pay the Pendelton settlement. The name Voss is being removed from the harbor bridge project next week.”
Reginald closed his eyes. A long, heavy breath escaped his lungs.
“She did all of it,” Reginald whispered. “In three weeks. One woman with a blue folder.”
“She didn't do it alone, Reginald,” Harrison said gently. “She did it with the truth. You just gave her the blueprint when you let Julian act like a king in a hotel corridor.”
Reginald opened his eyes, looking through the thick glass at his former attorney.
“Do you know what I thought when I saw her standing there with her veil off?” Reginald asked softly. “I thought she was going to ask for a million dollars to save her pride. I thought every person had a price where they stop fighting.”
May you like
Harrison stood up, picking up his briefcase.
“Some people do, Reginald,” Harrison said, stepping toward the heavy steel door. “But Norah Bellamy grew up in Marsh Hollow. Her father taught her that some things can’t be bought. You just forgot to read her resume before you let your son put a ring on her finger.”
