Chapter 112: Real family
1031words
"The Seattle Police Department has provided this court with substantial evidence. I'm about to play you audio from the night he was arrested. After that, I will show slides of documents signed by the William's to obtain substantial amounts of money from the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Tuffin as well as embezzlement from Tuffin Aerospace." The judge looked directly into Gene's eyes and asked, "This isn't the first embezzlement case against you, Mr. Martinez." It wasn't a question and I knew that was going to hurt him.
I felt like I stopped breathing when the judge began to play the audio. My voice came through and I immediately knew it was from mine and Drake's wires. I didn't realize it still recorded everything even though Micky couldn't hear us in the van. The evidence was damning and it was hard to relive it.
Next, he showed the slides as promised and they were all the documents Drake had shown me from his guy. Every piece of evidence given put my father, I mean Gene, closer and closer to prison time. The look on the judge's face when he shut it off made my blood run cold. He had no mercy on his face.
"How do you plea, Mr. Martinez?" The judge asked.
The lawyer leaned in and whispered to Gene before he stood up with squared shoulders and said, "Guilty, your honor."
The courtroom buzzed and I let out my breath. Never in a million years would I have guessed he'd admit to being guilty.
"In accordance with the laws of Washington State, Gene Douglas Martinez, you pleaded guilty on four counts of embezzlement, two counts of attempted murder, and wrongful adoption. You are hereby sentenced to forty years in Washington State Penitentiary." He slammed his gavel and the officer approached Gene.
All the years of believing he was my father came crashing down on me. I just watched the man I loved and respected get sentenced to forty years in prison. I knew this was the last time I'd ever see him and tears burned my eyes. He deserved it, but it didn't make it any easier to watch. I knew he'd die behind bars and I hated that for him. I hated that he hid this entire life and man from me.
My mother came out next and it was like deja vu. She, however, only got charged with two counts of embezzlement and wrongful adoption. Her sentence was twenty years and she'd serve her time at the woman's maximum prison.
Once it was all over, Micky approached me and stared into my eyes.
"This had to be done, lynn."
I nodded and gripped Drake's hand even tighter. "I know."
"You should know that I have my men out looking for Melissa and the kid. Your father made a legal statement last night stating that she helped him purchase the gun he had and her name was on some of those financial documents. She'd have gotten that money if they died."
I swallowed and tried not to let my rage be seen. I knew Melissa was dirty, but I didn't realize she was a monster just like them. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?
"What will happen to little Conner?" I asked. He was the only one I cared about during all of this.
"He'll be taken into custody and placed into child protective services." I winced as Micky continued, "I promise to keep an eye on him, Lynn. I won't let anything happen to him."
It broke my heart that I couldn't take him myself, but I was in no shape or form to care of a kid. I didn't even know the first thing about being a mother and my life was a mess. That kid deserved so much more than I could give him. I still had a lot of fixing to do in my own life and didn't feel strong enough to raise a kid. I just hope he can forgive me someday.
We left the courtroom and somehow I felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders. It was all over and I could move forward, right?
"Lynn?" An unfamiliar female voice called my name. I turned and saw the people who had hushed their conversation and watched me walk up the courthouse steps. Instinctively, I pressed into Drake as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. He made me feel protected when I felt like I couldn't do that for myself.
"I'm terribly sorry if we spooked you earlier." She approached slowly and cautiously as she quickly peered over at Dominick.
Luis stepped in front of me and stopped her from coming any further.
"Hold up, hot cheeks. Who are you?"
The woman warmly smiled at Luis before she gazed over his shoulder at me.
"I'm Careen Tuffin. Lynn's sister."
My heart sank as I stared into her eyes, but I knew she was telling the truth. Her hair was literally the exact same shade of brunette as mine and the texture was identical. Her jawline mimicked mine and her eye shape was familiar.
She looked over her shoulder at the people standing there. "And that's her brother Bobby Tuffin." The tall, handsome guy with the same brunette hair color gave me a small wave. "And our spouses, but I won't overwhelm you with their names." Then a small woman pushed her way through the people as tears filled her eyes. "That's Mama Bell. She's your grandmother and our father's mother."
