Chapter 8 - The Gavel Falls
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
When the courtroom door opened at 3:15 PM on Friday afternoon, the air inside was electric with anticipation.
Judge Thomas Vance took his seat at the bench, accepting the sealed envelope from the jury foreman.
"Will the defendants please stand?" Judge Vance ordered.
Travis Vance and Lena Sterling stood up side-by-side.
"On Count One: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon against a Minor," the foreman read aloud, his voice steady. "We find the defendant, Travis Vance, Guilty."
"On Count Two: Felony Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury," the foreman continued. "Guilty."
"On Count Three: Tampering with Evidence and Extradition Evasion," the foreman read. "Guilty."
Judge Vance looked over his spectacles at Travis. "Travis Vance, for your brutal, cowardly actions against a defenseless child, I sentence you to fourteen years in the State Penitentiary, with no eligibility for parole until twelve years have been served."
Travis was immediately escorted out by three armed bailiffs, his chains clanking loudly against the hardwood floor as he vanished through the heavy side door.
The foreman turned to the second page of the verdict sheet.
"On Count One: Felony Child Endangerment," the foreman read, looking directly at Lena. "We find the defendant, Lena Sterling, Guilty."
"On Count Two: Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice," the foreman read. "Guilty."
Lena gasped, her knees giving out slightly as her attorney caught her elbow.
"Lena Sterling," Judge Vance said, his voice cold as steel. "You betrayed the most sacred trust a human being possesses—the protection of your own child. I sentence you to five years in the State Correctional Facility for Women. Furthermore, I hereby issue a permanent, non-expungable termination of your parental rights."
The gavel came down with a thunderous BANG.
"Court is adjourned."
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I sat in my chair, holding Derek’s hand in a tight grip. The heavy weight that had rested on my chest for six brutal weeks finally shattered into a million pieces, dissolving into the warm afternoon air.
Noah was safe. Permanently.
