Chapter 10 - The Price of Freedom
The local police department had rapidly responded to the loud noise of the crashing glass and the tripped security alarms.
Elena immediately flagged down the officers and handed her unlocked cell phone directly to the lead detective.
The clear photos of the trust fund documents and the pre-written obituary provided all the concrete evidence they needed.
Armed officers stormed the lavish mansion and arrested both Victoria and Richard on the spot without incident.
The toxic blue liquid found in the basement was tested and legally confirmed to be a slow-acting, completely lethal poison.
The Hawthornes were ultimately sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder, child endangerment, and massive financial fraud.
Because Elena had bravely saved the sole heir, the wealthy trust fund administrators rewarded her with an incredibly massive sum of money.
She easily paid off all of her mother's towering hospital bills and comfortably covered her younger brother's college tuition.
Elena even used the remaining money to officially adopt Julian, finally giving the traumatized boy a real, loving home.
For the first time in years, Elena finally felt entirely safe, happy, and optimistic about her future.
A year later, Elena walked into Julian's new, brightly lit bedroom to gently kiss him goodnight.
She noticed a small piece of paper sticking out from underneath his pillow and pulled it out with a fond smile.
Instead of a cute school drawing, it was a highly detailed sketch of a man tampering with the brake lines of a luxury car.
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Below the drawing, written in that same messy, dark red crayon, was a deeply chilling confession.
I told Uncle Richard exactly how to cut my parents' brakes.
