Chapter 23 - Sloan Faces the Stairs
Sloan’s plea hearing was quieter than Judson’s.
No reporters.
No dramatic crowd.
Merritt sat in the second row beside Naomi.
Thatcher did not attend.
Sloan wore a dark navy dress.
No diamonds.
No bridal waves.
No performance.
When the judge asked what happened, Sloan’s attorney indicated she wished to make a brief statement.
Sloan stood.
“I deliberately struck my sister’s right knee brace with my foot while she was descending stairs.”
Merritt’s throat tightened.
“I knew she was recovering from ACL reconstruction. I was angry about how her injury affected my wedding plans and photographs.”
The courtroom was silent.
“I told myself it was a joke because I did not intend for her to fall as far as she did. But I did intend to hit the brace.”
Merritt blinked back tears.
“That was cruel and dangerous. After she fell, I minimized what I did. I also knew my parents were hiding the source of money used for my wedding and chose not to ask questions because I wanted the wedding to continue.”
Sloan’s voice broke.
“I harmed my sister physically and betrayed her in other ways before and after the fall.”
Merritt looked down.
This was the sentence she had wanted.
Not because it punished Sloan.
Because it did not edit Merritt out.
The judge accepted the plea.
The sentence followed the negotiated recommendation with conditions.
When court adjourned, Sloan approached Merritt in the hallway.
“Can I say one thing?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not going to ask you when you’ll forgive me.”
Merritt nodded.
“Good.”
Sloan almost smiled.
“I deserved that.”
Merritt did not disagree.
Sloan continued.
“My therapist says I keep treating apology like a receipt.”
Merritt raised an eyebrow.
“That sounds accurate.”
“I say sorry and then wait for the transaction to complete.”
Merritt laughed softly despite herself.
Sloan’s eyes filled.
“I’m trying not to do that.”
“Then don’t.”
“I won’t.”
They stood awkwardly.
Finally Sloan said, “How’s the knee?”
“Better.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Merritt had regained sensation fully.
The graft remained intact.
Rehabilitation had been delayed almost ten weeks, but she was progressing again.
Stairs still triggered anxiety.
Especially downward.
Especially marble.
Sloan looked at the floor.
“I’m sorry.”
Merritt’s expression changed.
Sloan immediately added, “No receipt.”
That made Merritt smile.
Small.
Real.
“Okay.”
Sloan left.
Naomi joined Merritt.
“You ready?”
“For what?”
“To go home.”
Merritt looked back at the courtroom doors.
Judson’s case was resolving.
Blythe had pled.
Sloan had pled.
ArcLight had cleared her.
The house was sold.
The money trail was documented.
The video preserved.
Every major factual question now had an answer.
And still Merritt did not feel finished.
On the drive home, she received an email from Camille Reyes.
They had spoken several times during the investigation.
Camille had testified about the recording and overheard conversation.
The email contained an invitation.
Rosecliff Harbor Estate was hosting a spring fundraiser six months later for a regional rehabilitation nonprofit.
Camille had been hired to photograph it.
The event coordinator wanted Merritt to attend as a guest if she felt comfortable.
Merritt stared at the estate name.
Her body reacted before her mind.
Heart faster.
Palms damp.
Right knee tightening.
She almost deleted the email.
Then stopped.
A staircase could be evidence.
A crime scene.
A memory.
But it could not own a building forever.
Merritt marked the date.
Not yes.
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Not yet.
Just the date.
