Chapter 11 - The Dominoes Fall
Judge Miller stared at the screen, then slowly lowered his gaze to Mark Vance.
“Mr. Vance,” the judge said, his voice dropping into a deadly, dangerous register. “Did you just ask your father if the chemical was supposed to work that fast?”
Mark couldn't speak. His throat made a dry, clicking sound.
His attorney leapt up. “Your Honor, this video is unauthenticated, illegally obtained without consent, and—”
“Sit down, counsel,” Judge Miller roared, slamming his gavel with a force that made the light fixtures rattle. “This is a child protection proceeding! Strict rules of evidence do not preclude me from reviewing prima facie evidence of felonious child endangerment!”
Judge Miller turned back to Sarah Klein. “Does the District Attorney have this video?”
“Detective Miller of the Special Victims Unit has the original file, Your Honor,” Sarah said calmly. “They are currently preparing an arrest warrant for Mark Vance as a co-conspirator to aggravated assault and witness tampering.”
Mark suddenly pushed back his chair, the legs screeching against the floor. “No! No, you don't understand! He made me! He threatened me!”
“Bailiff, secure Mr. Vance,” Judge Miller ordered immediately.
Two armed deputies crossed the room in two strides, grabbing Mark by the shoulders and slamming him face-first onto the counsel table. Handcuffs clicked shut with brutal efficiency.
“Claire!” Mark screamed, tears and spit flying from his mouth as his face was pressed against the wood. “Claire, tell them! Tell them I loved her! Tell them he forced me!”
I didn't blink. I didn't look away. I looked straight into the eyes of the man who had traded our daughter’s skin for his debts.
“You let her burn, Mark,” I said quietly. “You watched her scream, and you checked your watch.”
Judge Miller banged his gavel three times in rapid succession.
“Emergency petition filed by Mark Vance is dismissed with prejudice. Full, exclusive physical and legal custody of Lucy Vance is awarded immediately to Claire Vance. A permanent restraining order is issued against Mark Vance and Arthur Vance, effective immediately, covering a distance of no less than one thousand yards. Mr. Vance will be remanded into custody pending formal felony charges by the State.”
As the bailiffs dragged Mark kicking and sobbing through the side prisoner exit, Jenna reached across the aisle and grasped my hand tightly.
We had won the courtroom. But as we walked out into the cold grey afternoon, my phone lit up with a text alert from the county jail automated system.
*Arthur Vance has posted revised electronic monitoring surety. Defendant released on recognizance pending grand jury indictment.*
May you like
Arthur was out.
***
