Chapter 76

New headlines took over the media outlets. After a lengthy trial, Mark Pace was convicted on all counts. He was turned over to the prison system to serve a life sentence.

Tasha Fields watched with satisfaction. Finally, Damon’s murderer had been brought to justice. Not everything she wanted, but this would have to do.

Leon sat in silence. He had known this day might come and prepared for the possibility. Still, the news hit him harder than he thought, and he felt numb all over.

Useless lawyers, he thought. It seemed they got everyone else off. Why not this time?

He was not worried about Mark rolling over on him. If his cousin was going to sing, he would have done it by now. What could the feds offer him? Better food? A few more books to read? Exercise privileges?

Leon had visited and encouraged Mark during the trial but now decided to stay away for a while. There was nothing to be gained now but an almost hopeless appeal process. Lawyers could handle that. He knew that visits to his cousin would only exacerbate the fact that Mark was imprisoned, and he was not.

Downtown, the FBI agents and police were jubilant. After months and years of criminals slipping away, they had finally nailed one to the wall. All of their effort was worth it on days like this.

Simon Rampert made his own report to his colleagues. The trial was completed without further damage to the organization. Leon Pace remained a productive and useful asset.

The only person who did not react to the news, it seemed, was Sam Trenchard. The trial was of no concern to him. He was too busy examining files from the latest score. With his secret cut of every assignment, the nest egg was growing, and he was feeling more secure and confident. It wouldn’t be too long before he could make hints to Simon about a graceful exit from the organization. In the meantime, he readied the current package of goods and electronics for delivery.