Chapter 10 - Justice Served
Winston signaled the state troopers, who immediately moved in to surround the stage and the front-row table.
"Bradley Whitfield, Marlene Whitfield, Cory Whitfield, and Vivien Whitfield," the lead investigator announced over the hall's sound system. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, attempted first-degree homicide, felony wire fraud, and perjury."
Cory attempted to bolt toward the kitchen exit, but two waiting officers tackled him to the carpet and cuffed his hands behind his back. Vivien collapsed into a chair, wailing incoherently as officers seized her phone and handbag.
Marlene struggled violently as metal handcuffs clicked around her wrists. "This is a lie! She fell on her own! We were going to call for help! You ungrateful little waitress, we gave you everything!"
"You gave me nothing, Marlene," Brooklyn said with piercing clarity as her mother-in-law was led past her. "I paid for my place in your house with nine years of hard labor. And now, you will pay for your crimes with your freedom."
Bradley was escorted down from the podium in cuffs. As he passed Brooklyn, his eyes pleaded with her, filled with terror and regret. "Brooklyn... please. It was my mother's idea. I panicked... I never wanted you to die. Please, you have to help me!"
Brooklyn looked at the man she had loved for nearly a decade. She felt no hatred, no desire to scream, only a profound sense of relief that the illusions binding her had finally shattered.
"You had your chance to help on that dock, Bradley," she said softly. "You chose to let me drown. Now you can sink on your own."
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The reporters in the room flashed their cameras relentlessly as all four Whitfields were marched out of the yacht club in chains, into the glare of flashing police cruisers.
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