Chapter 19 - The Trial Begins
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Three months later.
The United States Federal Courthouse in downtown Chicago was packed to maximum capacity. Journalists, television cameras, and spectators filled every wooden bench of Courtroom 402.
In the defendant's chair sat Paxton Greer.
He was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, his dark hair messy, his handsome face lined with deep exhaustion and anger. Beside him sat a court-appointed public defender who looked overwhelmed by the mountain of evidence sitting on the prosecution's table.
The heavy oak doors at the back of the courtroom swung open.
A quiet murmur rippled through the gallery.
Lennox Aldrich stepped into the courtroom.
She wore a immaculate ivory tailored suit, her hair styled in soft waves, her posture straight and regal. She walked down the center aisle, her eyes fixed entirely on the witness stand.
Paxton watched her pass, his jaw working, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of the defense table.
"The prosecution calls Lennox Aldrich to the stand," U.S. Attorney Sterling announced firmly.
Lennox took her seat in the wooden witness box, placing her hand on the Bible, swearing to tell the truth.
She looked across the courtroom at Paxton—the man who had built an empire on her mind and tried to break her spirit with a single blow.
"Miss Aldrich," Sterling began, stepping toward the jury box. "Can you state for the court your professional relationship with the defendant, Paxton Greer?"
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Lennox looked straight into the eyes of the twelve jurors, her voice quiet, clear, and ringing with absolute truth.
"I was his accountant," Lennox said. "And I was his architect."
