Chapter 14 - Justice Delivered
Three weeks later, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York was packed to maximum capacity.
Every major news network in the country had their cameras trained on the defense table where Julian and Victoria Callahan sat in bright orange prison jumpsuits, stripped of their designer suits, jewelry, and arrogance.
The prosecution presented the contents of the micro-SD card: 1,400 pages of authenticated financial ledgers, 82 hours of hidden surveillance audio recorded inside the subterranean lab, and conclusive chemical analysis showing the exact composition of Compound-9.
The jury deliberated for less than ninety minutes.
"On count one, Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking and Unlawful Medical Experimentation: Guilty."
"On count two, Attempted Murder of a Minor: Guilty."
"On count three, First-Degree Manslaughter in the Death of Clara Callahan: Guilty."
"On counts four through twenty-eight, Racketeering, Wire Fraud, and Distribution of Controlled Substances: Guilty on all counts."
Judge Evelyn Vance banged her heavy oak gavel, the sharp crack silencing the gasps in the courtroom.
"Julian Callahan, for your unconscionable betrayal of human dignity, you are hereby sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole at ADX Florence."
Julian slumped in his chair, staring blankly at the polished wood table as federal marshals moved in to lock the heavy transport chains around his waist and ankles.
Victoria began screaming obscenities at the judge, her voice cracking as she was forcibly dragged out through the side holding door, her legacy permanently buried in disgrace.
Maya sat in the second row of the gallery, dressed in a simple navy blue blazer. Beside her sat Marcus, his arm in a clean sling, giving her a quiet, respectful nod.
May you like
For the first time in six months, Maya felt the crushing weight lift from her shoulders. Her brother's memory had been honored. Clara's death had been avenged. The Callahan empire was gone.
Now, only one thing remained.
