Chapter 14 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
When they returned to the courtroom at 1600 hours, the energy in the room was electric.
"Will the defendant please stand," Judge Jenkins ordered.
Beatrice stood up, her legal team surrounding her.
The jury foreperson, a tall man with a stern face, read the verdict:
"On Count One, Federal Wire Fraud: Guilty."
"On Count Two, Conspiracy to Commit International Child Trafficking: Guilty."
"On Count Three, Aggravated Identity Theft: Guilty."
"On Count Four, Subornation of Perjury: Guilty."
"On Count Five, Attempted Kidnapping: Guilty."
Beatrice collapsed back into her chair as the word "Guilty" echoed five consecutive times through the courtroom. She covered her face with her hands, letting out a low, desperate wail.
Judge Jenkins slammed her gavel down. "The defendant is remanded to federal custody without bail to await sentencing."
As the federal marshals pulled Beatrice up from her chair, she turned her head toward me, tears streaming down her wrinkled face.
"Mara!" she cried out, her voice cracking with pathetic desperation. "Mara, please! I'm your mother! Tell them to stop! Don't let them lock me away!"
I stood in the gallery, holding Leo close to my heart. I didn't yell. I didn't gloat.
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"Goodbye, Beatrice," I said quietly.
She was led through the heavy steel side doors, which shut behind her with a definitive, echoing click.
