Chapter 12
Leonard Price took a deal.
Rose hated that.
So did I.
But his testimony tied Evelyn to the sedative, the fake death plan, and my father’s altered medication during his final weeks.
He admitted he prescribed drugs that weakened Arthur.
He admitted Evelyn paid him.
He insisted he did not intend murder.
The jury would decide.
Evelyn’s face remained still as Price spoke.
But when he mentioned Rose, her mouth tightened.
The prosecutor asked, “Did Evelyn Crawford ever ask about Rose after giving her up?”
Price hesitated.
“No.”
Rose sat behind me.
She made no sound.
Claire reached back and took her hand.
That was my wife.
Nearly buried alive by this family, still capable of kindness toward another discarded woman.
Price was convicted of conspiracy, attempted murder related to Claire, medical fraud, and manslaughter related to my father.
Evelyn was convicted on attempted murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, fraud, evidence tampering, and manslaughter.
Nathan was convicted too.
Prison.
All of them.
At Evelyn’s sentencing, I spoke.
“You called it family legacy,” I said. “But it was fear, theft, and graves.”
Claire stood beside me with Matthew in her arms.
“He lived,” she said simply.
Evelyn looked at the baby.
May you like
For one second, longing crossed her face.
Then the deputies took her away.
