Chapter 10 - The Mastermind Unmasked
With Vanessa Kensington’s confession secured, the District Attorney upgraded the criminal charges against Richard Harrington to attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy, and aggravated assault on an unborn child.
The news shocked the Philadelphia business community.
Richard was no longer viewed as a reckless husband caught in a tragic domestic dispute; he was exposed as a cold, calculating monster who had plotted to kill his pregnant wife for her family money.
Inside the visiting room of the state penitentiary, Richard sat behind thick plexiglass, looking at Harrison through the grill.
Richard’s handsome smile was completely gone, replaced by a bitter, dark rage.
"You think you won, Harrison?" Richard sneered into the phone receiver. "You took my company. You took my houses. But you can't erase me. Every time Khloe looks at that baby, she's going to see my face."
Harrison held the receiver calmly, his expression completely unfazed by Richard’s venom.
"She doesn't see your face, Richard," Harrison said softly. "She sees a miracle that survived a coward."
"I’m going to appeal every conviction," Richard growled, leaning against the glass. "I’ll fight you in every court in this country until I’m free!"
"You won't have the money for an appeal," Harrison informed him cleanly. "Your legal defense fund was frozen this morning under the RICO statutes. Your private attorneys withdrew from your case two hours ago. You will be represented by a court-appointed public defender."
Richard’s face went completely blank, the reality of his total poverty finally washing over him.
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"You are going to trial next month, Richard," Harrison whispered into the phone. "And when the jury sees the video, hears Vanessa’s testimony, and reviews your text messages, you will spend the rest of your natural life in a maximum-security cell."
Harrison hung up the receiver, stood up, and walked out of the prison without looking back.
