Chapter 17: The Verdict
The jury deliberations lasted a mere forty-five minutes.
Julian sat next to Clara, who was in a specialized wheelchair, resting his hand gently on her shoulder. The bailiff instructed the courtroom to rise as the jury re-entered. The foreman, a stern-faced retired teacher, handed the folded slip of paper to the bailiff.
"On the charge of first-degree attempted murder, how do you find the defendant?" the judge asked.
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"Guilty, Your Honor."
They proceeded down the list. Conspiracy to commit murder: Guilty. Two counts of vehicular manslaughter for the unborn twins: Guilty. Fraud and forgery: Guilty. Eleanor collapsed into her chair, her face utterly drained of color, staring blankly at the polished mahogany table as the reality of her total ruin washed over her.
