Chapter 10 - The Collapse of the Lawsons
Three months later.
The high-profile trial of United States v. Lawson, Vance, et al. became the biggest financial and criminal scandal in the history of Idaho.
With the unedited video footage from Walter’s hidden room, the Cayman Island IP tracking logs, the forensic toxicology reports, and Derek’s immediate confession to avoid the death penalty, the defense collapsed before the trial even reached its second week.
Gregory Lawson was sentenced to Life Imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the premeditated murder of Thomas Lawson and the attempted murder of Walter Lawson.
Derek Vance received thirty-five years in a federal maximum-security penitentiary for grand wire fraud, embezzlement, and poisoning.
Pamela Lawson received twelve years for corporate conspiracy and accessory to elder abuse.
And Rachel Lawson...
Lucas sat in the second row of the federal courthouse gallery, dressed in a charcoal suit, watching as the judge delivered the final sentence.
Rachel stood at the defense table in a bright orange jumpsuit, her hair unwashed, her posture broken. Her eyes searched the gallery desperately until they found Lucas.
“Rachel Lawson,” the federal judge declared, slamming his gavel down. “For your role in the systematic poisoning and attempted starvation of your grandfather, as well as grand financial fraud, I sentence you to Twenty-Eight Years in the Federal Correctional Institution, without eligibility for early parole.”
Rachel let out a strangled, breathless cry, collapsing into her attorney’s arms as the guards dragged her away. She looked back at Lucas one last time, her lips moving, silently crying out his name.
Lucas didn't move. He didn't smile. He simply nodded once, acknowledging that justice had finally been served.
Outside the courthouse, a wall of reporters and news cameras swarmed the steps as Lucas, Walter, and Attorney Vance walked out into the crisp autumn air.
“Mr. Parker! Mr. Parker!” a reporter yelled, shoving a microphone forward. “Is it true you have been named the sole CEO of Lawson Lumber?”
“Mr. Lawson! How does it feel to take back your company after two years?” another called out.
Walter stopped on the top step. He took the microphone from the reporter, looking out over the crowd of journalists.
“Two years ago,” Walter said, his voice clear and resonant, “I thought my family was my legacy. I thought blood was all that mattered. I was wrong.”
Walter turned, placing a firm, proud hand on Lucas’s shoulder.
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“Legacy is not built on blood,” Walter continued, his eyes shining with deep pride. “Legacy is built on integrity, hard work, and honor. Lucas Parker saved my life, saved my company, and saved my soul. As of today, Lawson Lumber belongs to him.”
The cameras flashed continuously, capturing the image of the young man who had risen from the mud of the warehouse to become the undisputed leader of a timber empire.
