Chapter 5 - Walter Bennett’s Last Threat
Walter’s attorney arranged a preliminary hearing five days later.
I attended.
So did Evan.
Clara remained hospitalized.
Walter entered wearing a county-issued jumpsuit instead of his usual expensive suit.
He saw me and smiled.
“You think you've won?”
I said nothing.
“You took my businesses.”
“They were collapsing already.”
“You froze my money.”
“The authorities froze what remained.”
“You turned my son against me.”
Evan stepped forward.
“No, Dad.”
Walter looked at him.
“You.”
“Yes. Me.”
“You betrayed your family.”
Evan shook his head.
“You taught us that family meant obeying you.”
“It does.”
“No. Family was Clara begging us to stop.”
Walter’s face hardened.
“She embarrassed us.”
“She married someone you couldn’t control.”
Walter looked at me.
“You think he loves her?”
“I know he does.”
“You know nothing.”
Evan stepped closer.
“I know he could have had us all killed.”
The hallway became silent.
Walter’s lawyer whispered, “Evan.”
But Evan continued.
“He didn’t.”
Walter laughed.
“Because he’s weak.”
“No,” Evan said. “Because Clara asked him not to.”
Walter’s smile vanished.
I finally spoke.
“That’s the difference between us.”
He stared at me.
“You ruled your children through fear. Clara changed me through trust.”
Walter leaned closer.
“When I get out—”
“You won’t go near her.”
“You can't stop me.”
Detective Collins appeared behind him.
“Actually, the protective order can.”
Walter turned.
Collins held up paperwork.
“You are prohibited from contacting Clara Moretti directly or indirectly.”
Walter laughed.
“A piece of paper?”
Collins smiled.
“And electronic monitoring, bail restrictions, witness-protection provisions, and several very motivated prosecutors.”
Walter looked at me.
I stepped closer.
“You spent years thinking everyone had a price.”
“They do.”
“No.”
I glanced at Evan.
“Some people simply reach the point where they stop being afraid.”
Walter’s eyes moved toward his youngest son.
For the first time, Evan didn’t lower his gaze.
Walter was escorted away.
Evan exhaled.
“Why do I still feel scared?”
“Because courage doesn’t erase fear.”
He looked at me.
“You giving motivational speeches now?”
“Never repeat this conversation.”
He laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh I had heard since entering that hospital.
Then my phone rang.
The hospital.
I answered immediately.
“Yes?”
A nurse spoke quickly.
“Mr. Moretti, your wife is asking for you.”
“What happened?”
May you like
“She’s being taken into surgery.”
My blood turned cold.
