Chapter 7 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
When they returned, the silence in the courtroom was deafening.
"On the charges of conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated domestic assault, and federal grand larceny, how do you find the defendants?" the judge asked.
"We find the defendants, Daniel Vance and Vivian Vance, guilty on all counts," the jury foreman announced.
Vivian let out a low wail, while Daniel stared blankly ahead, his eyes completely hollow.
The judge did not hold back. "In my thirty years on the bench, I have rarely seen such a calculated display of cruelty, greed, and cowardice. Daniel Vance, I sentence you to thirty years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Vivian Vance, for your direct role in the horrific physical assault and subsequent attempted murder of a witness, you are sentenced to twenty-five years."
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As the bailiffs led them away in handcuffs, Daniel turned to look at me one last time. He looked like a ghost. I didn't look away. I stood tall, my shoulders back, letting him see the woman he thought he had broken.
I was finally free.
