[Nicole]
"There was no later, Nicole. She died after a few hours." Leonard said in a sad voice, and my right hand flew to my mouth in shock.
Leonard had hesitated in telling me the complete story for fear that I would judge. It was a horrible horrible thing they did to the girl, Leonard's friends, but what they did to Leonard was just as bad. I could not bring myself to judge him, not after the trauma that single experience had put him through all his life.
"What happened after?" I asked, looking at him, but he looked away. He was embarrassed and so avoided my gaze.
"We couldn't be arrested because my father's influence protected me, and the policemen insisted that either all five of us be arrested or none of us is." He explained, and I shook my head slightly in understanding. Now I understood why Luca remained bitter even after all these years. He didn't think they got what they deserved, and for someone whose only sister was caught up in this, it's hard to let go.
