Chapter 9 - The Verdict of the City
Spring arrived in Chicago with a flood of bright sunshine, melting the lake ice and bringing green shoots to the trees along Michigan Avenue.
In April, the federal trial of United States v. Phillip Lawson concluded at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours.
When the verdict was read, Phillip Lawson was found guilty on all twelve counts, including federal bank fraud, corporate forgery, tax evasion, and felony domestic assault resulting in great bodily harm. The judge sentenced him to twenty-two years in a federal penitentiary without the possibility of parole for the first fifteen years.
Ellie did not attend the sentencing hearing. She did not need to see him in an orange jumpsuit to feel complete. She was sitting in the sunny boardroom of the Hughes-Moretti Foundation, reviewing the final architectural models for the River East Community Center.
Sophia Moretti, Dominic’s younger sister, walked into the office holding a tray of iced iced lattes.
"The news just confirmed it," Sophia announced with a bright, triumphant grin. "Twenty-two years. He won't see the light of day until he’s nearly sixty."
Ellie looked up from the blueprints, a quiet, peaceful smile touching her lips. "I hope he finds peace in there, Sophia. I really do. Because I found mine out here."
"Speaking of peace," Sophia teased, stepping aside as the office door opened.
Dominic walked in, wearing a crisp dark blue suit, carrying a bouquet of fresh yellow sunflowers—Ellie’s absolute favorite.
He walked over to her desk, kissed her softly on the lips, and set the flowers down beside the blueprints.
"Ready for our afternoon?" Dominic asked softly.
May you like
"Where are we going?" Ellie asked, rising from her chair and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"The concrete pour for the main foundation at River East just finished," Dominic smiled down at her. "The harbor master says the primary archway is ready for the cornerstone."
