Chapter 35 - The Desperate Escape
The appellate judges did not deliberate for long. Within twenty minutes, the lead judge struck his gavel with a resounding, thunderous crack.
"This appeal is denied with absolute, extreme prejudice," the judge announced, glaring down at Daniel with undisguised disgust. "Mr. Mercer, your actions demonstrate a profound, irredeemable contempt for the justice system. You are remanded back to federal custody to await further indictments on conspiracy, extortion, and obstruction charges."
The gallery erupted into furious whispers and flashing cameras.
Daniel suddenly panicked. The realization that he was never, ever leaving the prison system shattered his fragile, narcissistic psyche. As the Marshals grabbed his arms to escort him away, he violently thrashed against his chains, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"You set me up!" Daniel roared, his eyes completely wild, staring directly at me in the gallery. "You planned this! You ruined my life! You took everything from me!"
I stood up slowly, looking down at the pathetic, chained monster thrashing against the guards.
"I took exactly what you deserved, Daniel," I said, my voice cutting cleanly through his hysterical screaming. "Enjoy the concrete."
As the Marshals forcefully dragged him out of the courtroom, his screams echoed down the long marble hallway until they faded into nothingness.
The victory was absolute. The threat was entirely neutralized.
But as we walked out of the courthouse, Marcus pulled me aside, his face grim. "There is one massive complication, Victoria."
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"What is it?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat.
"Silas Vance," Marcus said, looking at a message on his phone. "He was being transported from the county holding cell to a federal facility an hour ago. The transport van was involved in a massive collision on the highway. Silas overpowered a wounded guard in the chaos and escaped. He is in the wind."
