Page 128 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
Chet looked startled. “Dad, youpromised.I’ve already been in jail for ages. Do you know what it was like to be in prison during the storm?”
I was honestly surprised that Bertie hadn’t somehow sprung him.
“It’s a hardship, think of the children,” Winnie pleaded. “We have a toddler at home and one on the way. I have a career, too. He’s a good man and father, he’s well-liked in the community and even assistant coaches a youth fútbol team. This is all a misunderstanding. Please, just send Chet home to us.” She patted her belly, which wasn’t really showing yet.
It seemed heartfelt, not forced. Perhaps she truly loved him.
“Thank you for that, Mrs. Chesterton. After fully reviewing everything, it has been decided that Chet Chesterton won’t be brought to trial by the state of New York,” Judge Russo continued, expression not giving anything away.
AJ squeezed my hand. No, he wouldn’t stand trial by the state, because someone bigger would hold him accountable.
Though, I felt a little bad because of Winnie and the kids.
Chet shot me a triumphant look. “Take that, you ungrateful fraud. You would’ve gotten nowhere without me, and this is what I get for it? I made you and your career. Expect my countersuit tomorrow.”
Winnie did an excited dance in her seat and reached over to squeeze Chet’s hand.
“Mr. Chesterton,please,” Chet’s lawyer told him, expression bewildered.
“Hard work got me where I am. I made it despite all your attempts to keep me down. Why, Chet, why? You made money when I did? Why derail contracts? Keep me from getting to the Knights?” I craved answers for all the weird little things he did that we still couldn’t explain.
“I didn’t need you getting uppity and leaving me. Guess it didn’t work.” Chet stood. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Well, then.
Winnie got up, looking pleased. She glared at me, then hugged her husband excitedly. He kissed her and whispered in her ear.
The door opened, and the meeting room filled with people in suits and uniforms that said FFCD.
“Chet Chesterton, on behalf of the Federal Financial Crimes Division of the Bureau of Investigation, you’re under arrest for bank fraud, wire fraud, contract fraud, tax evasion, tax fraud, and grand financial theft of multiple people,” one of the men in suits said.
Winnie looked like someone kicked her puppy. Her hand went to her stomach. “No.”
We’d done it. We’d amassed enough proof to escalate this to a federal level. The Feds didn’t play, especially for things like manipulating the bank system and hiding untaxed money overseas.
“DAD. You promised! Otherwise, we would’ve left the country.” Chet looked like he was going to shit himself.
Oh, so itwasgo-money.
“Bertie, you can’t. The children. You promised. When I married into this family and took on your bullshit, youpromised.” Tears pricked Winnie’s eyes.
“Shut up, I’m sure this is all a mistake,” Bertie hissed at both of them. He looked at his phone, most likely trying to figure out who he could exploit.
Winnie flinched as if slapped. Chet wrapped his arms around her and whispered to her.
“Don’t feel bad,” AJ hissed, squeezing my hand.
We’d done what we could to make this case Bertie-proof. Bertie would regret some of those recent transactions, thinking all of this would get wrapped up nicely. It turns out the Chestertons weren’t as rich as they made themselves out to be, and this lawyer wasexpensive.
He made a good salary working for the bank. But his family had been cut off from the main Chesterton fortunebecauseof Chet and all the payoffs, antics, and other indiscretions.
Winnie owned her house and had a modest income from her job in marketing, but she didn’t seemrich.Though we hadn’t done any digging on her.
The lawyer looked over at Bertie, terrified. “Everything’s in order. We have to let them take him. I’m sorry, Chet, but you’re being remanded to a federal prison until you can be tried in federal court.”
With a wave of the suited man’s hand, two uniformed officers handcuffed Chet.
“No, please no.” Winnie clung to him and cried.
