Chapter 9 - The Handcuffs and the Gavel
Judge Holloway did not sit back down. She pointed a trembling, authoritative finger directly at Julian Vance and Evelyn Vance.
"In thirty-five years on the judicial bench," Judge Holloway declared, her voice shaking with righteous indignation, "I have never witnessed an act of such depraved, calculated cruelty. You attempted to incinerate your pregnant wife and murder your unborn child for the price of a piece of real estate."
Judge Holloway struck her heavy wooden gavel against the sound block with an explosive crack.
"Pursuant to the emergency criminal indictment unsealed this morning by District Attorney Marcus Sterling, I remand both Julian Vance and Evelyn Vance into immediate custody without bail on charges of attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated assault causing severe bodily injury, tampering with evidence, and felony conspiracy!"
Four armed county sheriff deputies marched through the wooden bar gate, drawing their handcuffs.
"No! No!" Julian screamed, backing away from the table, knocking over his leather chair as he tried to scramble toward the side exit. "Elena, please! Tell them it was an accident! I love you! Look at our daughter!"
Detective Ramos stepped into Julian's path, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him face-first against the mahogany defense table. The steel handcuffs clicked shut around Julian’s wrists with brutal finality.
Beside the spectator pews, two female deputies pulled Evelyn’s arms behind her back, snapping handcuffs over her wrists while her pearl necklace snapped, scattering white beads across the courtroom floor.
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"You ungrateful little wretch!" Evelyn screamed at me as she was dragged down the center aisle. "You were nothing before my son married you!"
I did not speak. I held Maya against my chest, watching in complete, serene silence as the two monsters who had tried to destroy us were escorted through the heavy iron holding doors into permanent disgrace.
