Chapter 7 - The Verdict
The jury returned after only four hours of deliberation.
The courtroom was so quiet you could hear the soft ticking of the wall clock.
"On the count of grand larceny, we find the defendant, Vanessa Whitaker, guilty."
"On the count of wire fraud, we find the defendant, Vanessa Whitaker, guilty."
"On the count of conspiracy to commit financial fraud, we find the defendant, Richard Whitaker, guilty."
The words fell like heavy stones into the silent room.
Vanessa let out a small, soft sob and collapsed back into her chair, her face buried in her hands. Richard simply closed his eyes, his head bowing as if he were accepting a heavy blow.
The judge looked down at the defense table with an expression of stern disappointment.
"The defendants abused the trust of their clients, their profession, and their community," the judge said. "Vanessa Whitaker, you are sentenced to seven years at the low-security federal facility in Columbia, with no possibility of parole. Richard Whitaker, due to your age and lack of prior criminal history, you are sentenced to three years of house arrest and a permanent revocation of your license to practice law. Furthermore, the firm of Whitaker & Associates is hereby ordered to be liquidated to pay the restitution of one point five million dollars to the Sinclair Foundation."
As the marshals stepped forward to place Vanessa in handcuffs, Patricia screamed from the gallery, rushing toward the railing before being stopped by a security guard.
"Vanessa! No! My baby!"
Emily stood up and walked out of the courtroom, her head held high.
She walked down the stone steps of the courthouse into the bright, warm South Carolina sunshine. The air felt clean, free of the heavy, oppressive pretense that had hung over her family for her entire life.
David Vance walked beside her, his hand slipping into hers.
May you like
"It’s over, Emily," David said gently.
"No, David," Emily said, looking toward the highway that led back to Savannah, back to Lily. "It’s just beginning."
