Chapter 8 - The Trial
Salvatore’s trial lasted five months.
The prosecution had documents.
Audio.
Toxicology.
Financial records.
Vera testified.
Matteo testified.
Anna testified.
Gabriel testified.
The defense attacked everyone.
Called Anna unstable.
Claire attention-seeking.
Vera vindictive.
Matteo a criminal seeking leniency.
Gabriel a Mafia Boss sacrificing an uncle.
Some of those descriptions contained pieces of truth.
None erased the evidence.
The hardest day came when the prosecution played Elena’s recording publicly.
Gabriel sat in court.
Claire beside him.
Leo stayed home.
Elena’s voice filled the room.
Alive again for twelve minutes.
Gabriel held Claire’s hand.
Not because Claire replaced Elena.
Because grief did not have to be solitary to remain true.
Salvatore was convicted.
Murder conspiracy.
Kidnapping.
Financial crimes.
Obstruction.
Other charges.
He received a sentence that effectively meant he would die in prison.
Outside the courthouse, reporters shouted.
Gabriel said only:
“My wife deserved the truth. Anna Bennett deserved freedom. The Moretti Foundation belongs to the people it was created to serve.”
Then he left.
No victory speech.
Justice felt too late for celebration.
But it mattered.
Gabriel’s own case resolved later.
He accepted penalties.
Probationary oversight.
Massive fines.
Divested several businesses.
Because he cooperated and because many historical offenses lacked prosecutable evidence, he avoided prison.
Claire asked him once whether that felt unfair.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Other men did less and got more.”
“Then what do you do?”
Gabriel looked toward the foundation building.
May you like
“Use what I still have differently.”
Good answer.
