Chapter 6 - The Fall of Brooke
At eleven-thirty, I stood in the faculty lounge holding a warm cup of tea. Dr. Ellis walked in, holding a official gold-embossed folder.
"Congratulations, Master Claire Miller," Dr. Ellis said with a broad smile, handing me the folder. "The committee passed your defense with highest distinction. The National Science Foundation representative has already offered to double your doctoral research grant starting this fall."
Tears welling in my eyes, I took the folder. "Thank you, Dr. Ellis. For believing me when I called."
"I knew your work, Claire," Dr. Ellis said softly. "Real work can never be faked."
Before I could reply, the lounge door burst open.
My father marched into the room, his face flushed dark red, followed closely by my mother. Behind them stood two campus security officers, trying to hold them back.
"Claire!" Dad roared, pointing a finger at me. "Look at what you've done! Are you happy now?!"
Dr. Vance stepped smoothly between my father and me. "Mr. Miller, you are trespassing on university property. Lower your voice immediately."
"She ruined her sister's life!" my mother shrieked, clutching her purse to her chest. "Apex Global just fired Brooke! They had her escorted out of the building by security in front of all her coworkers! They're threatening to sue her for corporate fraud and recover her signing bonus!"
"Brooke fired herself, Mom," I said, setting my tea down on the table. "She stole my files, forged my name on a withdrawal document, and tried to sell my research to her bosses."
"She's your sister!" Dad yelled, his voice cracking with rage. "Families share! You could have just told her how to fix the broken equation! You could have helped her save her job!"
I looked at my father. The man who had stood in our kitchen two hours ago and told me I was terrible at time management, the man who had cheered while Brooke snapped my glasses, was now begging me to save her stolen career.
"I am not giving her my work, Dad," I said, my voice ice cold. "And I am not taking the blame for her crimes."
Just then, two city police officers walked into the lounge, accompanied by Harrison Cole, the Apex Global lead lawyer.
Harrison Cole pointed straight at Brooke, who had just shuffled into the hallway behind my parents, crying hysterically.
"Officers," Harrison Cole said firmly. "That is Brooke Miller. Our firm is pressing formal criminal charges for grand larceny, computer crimes, and corporate espionage."
The police officers walked up to Brooke, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from their belts.
"Brooke Miller, you are under arrest," the lead officer declared.
"Dad! Mom! Help me!" Brooke screamed as the metal cuffs clicked tightly around her wrists. "Don't let them take me! Dad, you promised me nothing would happen!"
My mother collapsed onto a nearby chair, sobbing hysterically. My father stood frozen, his eyes wide with helpless terror as his favorite daughter was led down the hallway in handcuffs.
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Dad turned to look at me, his eyes full of desperate, pathetic pleading. "Claire... please... tell them not to press charges... talk to the lawyers..."
"I don't control the police, Dad," I said quietly, picking up my diploma folder. "And I don't control the consequences of your choices anymore."
