Chapter 11
The rain drummed a steady, relentless rhythm against the frosted glass of the county courthouse windows. Inside the small conference room on the third floor, Detective Miller laid out a series of glossy photographic evidence prints across the polished oak table.
"The prosecution's case is airtight," Miller said, tapping a finger against a photograph of the splintered white casket. "Arthur’s defense tried to argue that the burial was part of a voluntary experimental treatment for severe catatonia, but the medical licensing board has confirmed that no such procedure exists in modern neurology."
Julian stood by the window, watching the pedestrians hurrying beneath black umbrellas down on the wet pavement. "When does the trial begin?"
"Next month," Miller replied, glancing up at him. "Arthur has refused all plea offers. He’s convinced that his legal team can punch enough holes in the chain of custody to create reasonable doubt regarding the sedative administration."
Clara sat at the center of the table, her hands folded neatly over a legal brief. She didn't look at the photographs of the casket. "He won't succeed. Vance secured the digital server logs before Arthur could wipe them, and Evelyn’s testimony details every financial incentive he offered her."
"Evelyn is pleading guilty to accessory after the fact in exchange for a reduced sentence," Miller added, closing the manila folder. "She’ll take the stand as a primary witness for the prosecution next Tuesday. It’s going to be brutal, but it’s the only way to ensure he never walks out of a federal penitentiary."
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Clara nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "My uncle spent forty years believing that people were simply instruments to be moved around a chessboard. He never understood that human lives aren't assets you can write off at the end of a fiscal year."
"He’ll learn that lesson soon enough," Miller said, standing up and buttoning his heavy trench coat. "I’ll see you both in the courtroom on Tuesday morning. Dress warm; the federal judges keep the AC running at freezing temperatures."
