Chapter 12 - THE AIRFIELD
Police stopped Preston’s charter before it reached the runway.
He carried two passports, the stock certificates, encrypted account keys, and $60,000 in cash.
He also carried the authentic red warning tag removed from Adrian’s steering wheel.
The words remained visible beneath grease stains:
DO NOT DRIVE — BRAKE PRESSURE FAILURE.
Preston had preserved the tag.
Not out of remorse.
As leverage against Margaret if the family turned on him.
His attempt to flee ended any argument that release conditions would control him.
He remained in custody through trial.
Margaret’s lawyers sought separate proceedings.
The judge granted partial separation for some counts but allowed coordinated evidence where conspiracy connected them.
The wedding assault case remained straightforward.
Multiple videos showed Preston swinging.
The defence argued he intended to strike the board against the floor and frighten Sophie.
His movement toward her head contradicted that claim.
The broken wood and injury pattern supported direct contact.
Celeste testified.
“I planted the bracelet.”
“Why?” the prosecutor asked.
“To create a theft accusation.”
“Did you know Preston planned to use the board?”
“I knew he moved it.”
“Did you stop him?”
“No.”
“Did Sophie steal anything?”
“No.”
Margaret’s attorney attacked Celeste’s credibility.
“You lied repeatedly.”
“Yes.”
“You want a reduced sentence.”
“Yes.”
“Why should anyone believe you?”
“They should not believe me alone. They should believe the files, transfers, cameras, and messages.”
The financial records supported her.
Victor testified about the warning tag.
Calvin testified about the false brake certification.
Marcus testified about Adrian’s key, the mirror server, and the genuine signature page stolen from another document.
I testified about Sophie, the trust, and the night Adrian died.
Preston’s attorney asked whether I hated him.
“Yes.”
The courtroom shifted.
“Then you want him convicted.”
“I want the jury to evaluate complete evidence.”
“Would you benefit financially?”
“Sophie’s lawful assets are protected regardless of the verdict through civil and trust orders.”
“Did you ever threaten to destroy the company?”
“Yes. The full sentence concerned stopping unauthorized guarantees.”
He played the edited audio.
The prosecutor played the rest.
Context did not make me gentle in every moment.
It made the evidence accurate.
Margaret testified against advice.
She claimed Adrian knew the car remained unsafe and chose to drive.
“Why send the false message that Sophie was injured?” the prosecutor asked.
“I needed him home.”
“Was Sophie injured?”
“No.”
“Did you know the warning tag had been removed?”
“I knew Preston handled the garage.”
“Did you know the master cylinder had not been replaced?”
“I knew there was disagreement.”
“Did you write, ‘Let weather take responsibility’?”
Margaret stared toward Preston.
“He took that out of context.”
The complete conversation played.
No explanation followed.
May you like
The jury deliberated six days.
On the final afternoon, the foreperson informed the judge that verdicts had been reached on every count, including Adrian’s death.
