Chapter 17 - The Shadow’s ExpirationIn late autumn, a official document arrived at the executive office via certified courier from the State Department of Corrections.
Frances opened the heavy manila envelope in her private study at home. Inside was a formal notice of completion and release:
SUBJECT: VANCE, DEREK
STATUS: MANDATORY SENTENCE EXPIRATION / CONDITIONAL PAROLE TRANSITION
LOCATION: REGIONAL RE-ENTRY FACILITY (ZONE 4)
Derek Vance had served his full court-mandated five-year term with zero early sentence commutations. Under state guidelines, he was being transferred to a halfway house on the outer perimeter of the state, bound by lifetime civil restraining orders prohibiting him from coming within five miles of any Weber family member, employee, or corporate property.
That evening, Frances sat across from Joselyn at their favorite Italian bistro near the riverfront.
Frances laid the state notice flat on the table between their wine glasses.
Joselyn looked down at the document. She read the bold black text, her face completely calm, her hand resting motionless beside her glass.
There was no tremor in her fingers. No sudden spike in her heart rate. The name that had once held her hostage in an iron grip of psychological control had lost every ounce of its venom.
"He's out," Joselyn said simply, looking up at her mother.
"Under strict twenty-four-hour electronic monitoring," Frances noted. "If he steps within five miles of your office, your home, or this city, the state marshals pick him up immediately."
Joselyn took a slow, quiet sip of her red wine. She looked out the window at the city skyline—the towering buildings, the lit bridges spanning the river, the bustling streets below.
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"He can walk the earth, Mom," Joselyn said softly, her voice carrying a deep, quiet certainty. "He can live in whatever shadow he chooses. But he will never step into our light again."
Frances reached across the small table, touching her daughter's hand. "Never again, sweetheart."
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