Chapter 10
The federal courtroom was packed to capacity long before the bailiff called the room to order. Reporters, financial analysts, and former business associates of Richard crowded the wooden benches, whispering anxiously among themselves. Flashbulbs had blinded Julianna outside the courthouse steps, but inside, the air was heavy with tense, suffocating silence.
Julianna sat in the front row of the gallery, flanked by Agent Hayes and two armed federal marshals. She wore a dark sunglasses-free expression of absolute composure, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
The heavy side door opened, and Richard was led into the courtroom in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit. He looked drastically different from the aggressive groom who had shoved her onto the marble floor just twenty-four hours earlier. His hair was disheveled, his face drawn and hollowed out by panic and sleeplessness. He scanned the gallery frantically until his eyes landed on Julianna. For a split second, a flash of desperate pleading crossed his features, quickly replaced by a bitter, dark glare.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Marcus Sterling," the bailiff announced sharply.
Judge Sterling, a stern-faced man with silver hair and decades of federal experience, entered the room and took his seat behind the high mahogany bench. He adjusted his glasses, scanning the legal briefs stacked before him before looking down at the defense and prosecution tables.
"Please be seated," Judge Sterling said, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling. "We are here for the formal arraignment in the matter of United States versus Richard Vance-Halloway—or rather, Richard Halloway, given that his legal name changes are also under federal review for identity fraud."
Richard’s defense attorney, a sharp-suited man with slicked-back gray hair, immediately stood up. "Your Honor, the defense moves for an immediate dismissal of all charges, citing unlawful seizure of evidence and severe procedural violations during yesterday morning's... unorthodox intervention at the cathedral."
Judge Sterling raised a single, gray eyebrow, looking across the room to the prosecution. "Mr. Vance, how do you respond?"
Assistant U.S. Attorney Vance stood up calmly, adjusting his suit jacket. "Your Honor, the prosecution submits that the evidence in question—specifically the financial ledgers, the victim's personal effects, and the solid-state drive—was recovered lawfully under federal interstate fraud statutes and with direct biometric authorization from the legal heir to the estate, Julianna Vance."
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The judge looked directly down at Julianna in the front row. Julianna met his gaze steadily, nodding once without a trace of hesitation.
Judge Sterling turned back to the defense attorney. "Motion denied, Counselor. The court has reviewed the initial filings and the preliminary forensic data provided by the federal task force. The scale of the financial crimes and the credible evidence regarding the homicide investigation preclude any dismissal. Furthermore, bail is formally denied."
