Chapter 8 - Cracks in the GlassSix months after the trial.
The golden afternoon sun reflected off the glass windows of the newly renovated Claire Vance Pediatric Medical Center downtown.
Through legal restitution and asset forfeiture, the federal court had recovered every single dollar Grant had attempted to steal from Claireâs trust, along with three million dollars seized directly from Sterling & Vanceâs corporate accounts.
Claire had used the funds to open a state-of-the-art non-profit pediatric medical center dedicated to providing free medical care, trauma counseling, and legal support for abused women and children across the state.
On a bright spring afternoon, Claire and I stood in the bright, colorful lobby of the medical center, watching dozens of children playing happily in the waiting area while their mothers spoke with social workers.
Agent Marcus walked into the lobby wearing a sharp dark suit, carrying a framed photograph.
âEvelyn, Claire,â Marcus smiled, handing the frame to Claire. âThe Justice Department just finalized the official case file archive. I thought youâd want this for your office.â
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Inside the frame was the news headline from the day of Grantâs conviction, mounted beside a photo of Claire cutting the ribbon at her new clinic.
Claire smiled, tears of joy shining in her eyes. âThank you, Marcus. For everything.â
