Chapter 7 - The Trial of the Century
The federal courtroom in downtown Chicago was packed to absolute capacity. Media outlets from across the country had camped outside for days, turning the trial of Preston Montgomery and Juliette Mercer into the biggest corporate and criminal spectacle of the decade.
I sat in the front row of the gallery, flanked by Marcus and my new chief legal counsel.
On the defendant's side of the room, Preston sat with his head bowed, whispering furiously to his defense attorney, while Juliette stared straight ahead with a vacant, hollow expression, refusing to look toward the gallery.
The federal judge, Judge Harrison, adjusted his glasses and looked down at the jury foreman.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Harrison asked.
"We have, Your Honor," the foreman replied, standing up and handing a sealed envelope to the court bailiff.
The courtroom grew so quiet you could hear the scratch of the bailiff's shoes against the hardwood floor.
Judge Harrison opened the envelope, scanned the papers inside, and looked up.
"On the count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder against Caroline Mercer, how do you find the defendant, Preston Montgomery?"
"Guilty, Your Honor."
"On the count of wire fraud and embezzlement..."
"Guilty."
"On the count of falsification of official government documents..."
"Guilty."
Judge Harrison moved down the list for Juliette. Every single charge—arson, identity theft, fraud, and conspiracy—returned a unanimous verdict of guilty.
Preston dropped his head into his hands, swearing softly under his breath as the federal marshals stepped forward to snap steel handcuffs around his wrists. Juliette didn't move. She didn't cry. She just stared blankly at the defense table, finally realizing that no amount of money, family name, or high-society charm could save her from the truth.
As the defendants were led out of the courtroom through the side doors, Judge Harrison banged his gavel.
May you like
"Court is adjourned."
I stood up slowly, smoothing down the lapel of my black blazer. The nightmare that had begun seven years ago in a locked bedroom on Lake Michigan was finally, officially over.
