Chapter 5 - The Bail Hearing

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I watched the arraignment through a secure video link in my hospital bed.

Daniel looked immaculate. Even after a night in a holding cell, his hair was perfectly styled, his bespoke suit completely unwrinkled. He stood beside a high-powered defense attorney known for destroying victims on the stand.

"Your Honor," the defense attorney boomed, his voice echoing in the courtroom. "My client is a respected architect, a pillar of this community with absolutely zero criminal history. The tragic loss of his unborn child has devastated him. Keeping him incarcerated based on the delirious statements of his grieving, traumatized wife is a miscarriage of justice."

The prosecutor shot up. "Your Honor, the defendant confessed to the attending physician that he committed this atrocious act because he 'did what he had to do.' The victim's injuries align perfectly with torture, not a slip and fall. He is a severe flight risk and an extreme danger to the victim."

The judge frowned, looking over the files. "The evidence is compelling, but the defendant has deep community ties and no prior record."

My breath hitched. I squeezed Emily’s hand so hard her knuckles turned white. Please, I prayed to a ceiling tile. Please don't let him out.

"Bail is set at two million dollars," the judge struck his gavel. "With strict conditions. Electronic monitoring, surrender of passport, and a permanent restraining order regarding the victim. You are to have zero contact, Mr. Vance. If you so much as breathe in her direction, you will wait for trial in a cell."

Daniel didn't flinch at the multi-million dollar figure. His wealthy parents, sitting in the front row, were already pulling out checkbooks.

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Daniel turned and looked directly into the camera feeding to my hospital room. He couldn't see me, but he knew I was watching. He offered a small, chilling, and perfect smile.

He was coming home.