PART 17: THE CRIMINAL VERDICT
PART 17: THE CRIMINAL VERDICT
The grand courtroom was packed to capacity when the jury marched back into the box. Santiago and Beatriz stood side-by-side, their expensive armor completely stripped away, replaced by the standardized navy uniforms of federal detainees.
The head juror cleared his throat, his voice projecting across the silent room.
"On count one, grand larceny through identity theft, we find the defendant, Santiago Rivas, guilty. On count two, corporate embezzlement and bank fraud, guilty. On count three, aggravated domestic endangerment of a pregnant individual, guilty."
A low murmur rippled through the gallery. Beatriz collapsed heavily against the defense table, her manicured hands trembling violently as the judge turned her icy gaze toward her.
"Beatriz Rivas, for your role as a direct co-conspirator in corporate extortion, wire fraud, and accessory to domestic abuse, this jury finds you guilty on all counts."
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The judge didn't delay the sentence. She adjusted her glasses, looking down at the defendants with immense, visible disdain. "The structural nature of your crimes indicates an absolute absence of human empathy. Santiago Rivas, you are sentenced to an immediate term of imprisonment. This court will recess until the final length allocation is finalized."
I watched from the front row of the gallery, my arms crossed, my expression completely motionless. I didn't feel anger. I didn't feel relief. I felt only the deep, clinical satisfaction of a complex calculation finally reaching its balance point.
