Chapter 7 - Whispers of Justice
The jury deliberated for a mere four hours.
When the buzzer sounded, signaling a verdict had been reached, the tension in the courtroom was thick enough to cut with a knife. Daniel and Vivienne were led back in, their faces ashen.
The foreperson of the jury, a middle-aged man with graying hair, stood up and handed the parchment slip to the bailiff, who delivered it to Judge Harrison.
The judge unfolded the paper, scanned it once with an impassive expression, and handed it back to the clerk.
“On the first count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree regarding the death of Eleanor Vale, how do you find the defendant, Daniel Vale?”
“Guilty, Your Honor.”
“On the second count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree regarding the death of Eleanor Vale, how do you find the defendant, Vivienne Vale?”
“Guilty, Your Honor.”
“On charges of aggravated child abuse, unlawful administration of controlled substances, and endangerment, how do you find both defendants?”
“Guilty on all counts, Your Honor.”
Chaos erupted in the courtroom. Vivienne let out a piercing shriek, burying her face in her hands as female deputies moved in to secure her wrists. Daniel sat paralyzed, staring blankly ahead as the cold steel cuffs clicked around his own wrists. The empire of glass had shattered completely, leaving nothing behind but jagged edges and accountability.
As the deputies escorted the convicted couple away toward the holding cells, Detective Marcus Thorne walked down the center aisle and stopped beside my seat.
“It’s over, Rosa,” Marcus said quietly, offering a genuine, relieved smile.
“It’s over,” I echoed, letting out a breath that felt like the shedding of a heavy winter coat.
“What are your plans now?” Marcus asked, glancing toward the front row where Mateo was currently high-fiving his court-appointed guardian. “The state has granted permanent custody of Mateo to Eleanor’s sister, Aunt Clara. She’s flying in from Boston tomorrow.”
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“I know,” I smiled. “Clara called me this morning. She asked me if I’d be willing to stay on as Mateo’s legal guardian and nanny... not as an employee of the Vale estate, but as family.”
Marcus grinned broadly. “I think that’s the best verdict this courtroom has heard all day.”
