Chapter 8 - Day of Judgment
Four months later.
The Federal District Courthouse was flooded with afternoon sunlight as the jury returned its verdict after less than forty-five minutes of deliberation.
The foreperson stood up, holding a white folder.
“On Count One: Federal Wire Fraud—Guilty. On Count Two: Grand Larceny—Guilty. On Count Three: Felony Domestic Battery—Guilty. On Count Four: Identity Theft and Corporate Forgery—Guilty.”
Down the line, the verdicts continued, relentless and absolute, covering every member of the Vance family.
When the judge announced the final sentences, the numbers fell like iron weights across the defense table:
Evan Vance: Sixteen years in federal prison without parole. Raymond Vance: Eleven years in state penitentiary. Judith Vance: Five years for conspiracy, fraud, and possession of stolen property. Paige Vance: Three years probation and eight hundred hours of mandatory community service.
Judith wept uncontrollably as she was led away in handcuffs. Raymond stared blankly at the defense table, unable to look his son in the eye.
Evan turned toward the gallery as the guards pulled him toward the side door. He looked at Claire, his voice cracking into a desperate whisper.
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“Claire... please... write to me...”
Claire sat in the front row, holding my hand tightly in hers. She didn’t offer a word, a tear, or a nod. She simply watched him go, her face serene, complete, and unshakeable.
