Chapter 6 - The Setup in Court
The courtroom was freezing and filled with muffled whispers.
Mark sat at the defense table in a orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.
Victoria Sterling sat right beside him.
Across the aisle sat the prosecutor alongside Sarah.
Sarah was wearing a conservative black dress and a soft wool cardigan.
She looked fragile, trembling, and heartbroken.
She dabbed at her eyes with a white tissue every few seconds.
To anyone watching, she looked like a grieving mother protecting her children.
The side door opened and Judge Arthur Vance walked in.
He took his seat on the elevated bench.
Mark noticed the subtle glare the judge gave him.
"State versus Mark Miller," the clerk announced.
"Your Honor, the state requests holding Mr. Miller without bail," the prosecutor declared.
"He poses a severe and immediate physical threat to his minor children," the prosecutor added.
"That is absurd, Your Honor!" Victoria stood up firmly.
"My client has no criminal record and is a dedicated father," Victoria argued.
"We have overwhelming evidence of his physical abuse, Your Honor," the prosecutor countered.
The prosecutor held up a thick binder of medical photos.
"Furthermore, Mr. Miller was intoxicated at the time of his arrest," the prosecutor said.
Judge Vance leaned forward over his microphone.
"Given the tragic nature of these allegations..." Judge Vance began.
"...and the physical evidence presented, bail is denied," Judge Vance declared.
"What?!" Mark shouted, standing up from his chair.
"You're her uncle! This is a conflict of interest!" Mark yelled.
The courtroom gasped.
Judge Vance's face darkened instantly.
"Settle down, Mr. Miller, or I will cite you for contempt!" Vance barked.
"Your Honor, my client is under extreme stress," Victoria stepped in quickly.
"Mr. Miller will remain in custody until his trial date in sixty days," Judge Vance ruled.
He slammed his wooden gavel down hard.
CLANG.
The sound echoed through Mark's skull like a death sentence.
Two guards grabbed Mark by his arms to drag him out.
As Mark was pulled toward the side exit, he looked back at Sarah.
Sarah wiped a fake tear from her cheek.
Then, behind the prosecutor's back, she looked directly at Mark.
She leaned toward her attorney and smiled.
It was a cold, sinister smirk.
She raised her hand to her mouth.
May you like
She mouthed three words to him:
"You lost, Mark."
