Chapter 10 - The Fall of the Accomplices
Eleanor was not the only monster who had to face the blinding light of justice.
Two weeks later, Arthur and I sat in the federal courthouse to witness the sentencing of Mr. Vance and former Police Chief Thomas Reynolds.
They were brought into the courtroom in matching orange jumpsuits, their wrists and ankles bound by heavy steel chains. The arrogant swagger Reynolds had displayed on the loading dock was entirely gone. He looked like a hollow, terrified shell of a man.
Agent Marcus Thorne sat in the row ahead of us, offering a brief, respectful nod as the proceedings began.
Because Mr. Vance had immediately turned state’s evidence and handed over the encrypted ledgers that condemned Eleanor, the prosecution had offered him a slightly reduced sentence.
"David Vance,"
The federal judge intoned, his voice echoing with absolute disdain.
"You weaponized your legal expertise to facilitate the theft of millions of dollars from disabled veterans, and you aided in the cover-up of a murder. Your cooperation with the federal authorities is the only reason you are not facing life behind bars."
The judge slammed his gavel.
"I sentence you to fifteen years in federal prison."
Vance slumped forward, weeping into his shackled hands.
The judge then turned his furious gaze upon Thomas Reynolds.
"Thomas Reynolds. You wore the badge of a public servant. You swore an oath to protect this city. Instead, you sold your honor, and the life of your supposedly dearest friend, for fifteen percent of a corrupt casino deal."
Reynolds stared at the floor, unable to look anywhere else.
"You are a disgrace to the uniform, to this city, and to the human race,"
The judge declared, his voice rising like thunder.
May you like
"I sentence you to thirty years in a maximum-security federal penitentiary, without the possibility of parole."
Arthur leaned heavily on his brass-handled cane, letting out a long, shuddering breath of absolute finality. The architect of the lies, and the men who had been paid to build the walls, were all permanently destroyed.
