Chapter Six: The Investigation
The next three hours were chaos.
Morrison's team processed the crime scene.
They interviewed witnesses.
They confiscated Richard's phone, computer, and financial records.
They found things I'd suspected but never confirmed.
A second residence where Richard had taken other women.
A secret bank account with funds diverted from the Thompson family's "charitable foundation."
Recordings of his mother coaching him on how to manipulate Lily's mental health records to build a case for forced institutionalization.
The Chief of Police was arrested alongside Richard.
The Thompson family's attorneys arrived and immediately started making threats.
None of it mattered.
"We have overwhelming evidence," Morrison told me. "The recording alone is enough to convict. But the financial crimes... the other victims who've come forward... this is much bigger than one case of domestic violence."
"How much bigger?"
"We've identified at least three other women Richard assaulted. They were too afraid to press charges because of his connections. Now they're calling us, wanting to talk."
"He deserves whatever happens."
"He'll likely spend the rest of his life in prison," Morrison confirmed. "The federal charges are stacking up. And with your background... let's just say the prosecutors are eager to make this a priority case."
I nodded slowly.
"I still don't understand," I said. "How did he hide this for so long?"
"The wealthy are good at hiding things," Morrison said. "They have money, connections, and lawyers who specialize in covering up crimes. But eventually..."
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"Eventually, someone who can't be bought shows up."
Morrison smiled. "Exactly."
