Chapter 11 - The Verdict
Commander Colin Rusk was convicted on all counts.
Negligent homicide. Obstruction of justice. Conspiracy to defraud the United States. Falsification of official records. Conduct unbecoming an officer.
He was sentenced to twelve years in federal prison. He was dismissed from the Coast Guard. He was required to forfeit all pay and allowances. He was ordered to pay restitution to the Dawson family in the amount of $240,000.
He appealed. The appeal was denied.
He is currently serving his sentence at a federal penitentiary in West Virginia. He will be eligible for parole in 2037.
Victor Gage was convicted the following year. He was sentenced to life without parole. He is currently serving his sentence at a federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania.
The two poaching vessels were seized and sold. The proceeds went to Maria Dawson and to the Marcus Dawson Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Lieutenant Commander Amy Chen was granted testimonial immunity. She resigned her commission six months after the trial. She works now for a maritime insurance company in Boston. She has not spoken to Leah Brooks since the trial. She has, however, sent her a letter every year on the anniversary of the rescue.
The letters are short. They all say the same thing.
"I am sorry. I am still sorry. I will always be sorry."
Leah has kept every letter. She has not answered any of them. She is not sure she is ready to.
Leah was restored to duty on the day after the verdict.
She was promoted to petty officer third class in a small ceremony at Station Cape May in June. She was awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, and a letter of commendation signed by the commandant of the Coast Guard.
She was offered a commission. She declined. She said she wanted to stay in the water.
She is still a rescue swimmer at Station Cape May. She has pulled fifty-three people out of the Atlantic since the night Marcus Dawson died. She has lost four. She can name every one of them, and she can tell you exactly what the water was doing on the day each of them died.
She keeps the torn glove in a shadow box on her living room wall. The buoy tag is still attached to the wrist loop. The number is still legible. It says 2-14.
May you like
She has never replaced the glove. She has never wanted to.
It is the only glove she has ever needed.
