CHAPTER NINE The Verdict
CHAPTER NINE
The Verdict
The courtroom overflowed.
Reporters lined the back wall.
Former employees of Rose & Wren filled the gallery.
Tyler entered wearing a navy suit instead of handcuffs.
He still believed he could charm twelve strangers.
The prosecution played the recovered recordings.
Displayed the text messages.
Presented the engineering report.
Then Lauren testified.
Then Marcus.
Both admitted their roles.
Finally...
Mason's recorded forensic interview was played.
No child appeared in court.
Only his quiet voice.
"Daddy pushed Aunt Bridget."
No one moved.
Not even Tyler.
When the prosecutor rested, Tyler chose to testify.
It lasted less than twenty minutes.
He blamed stress.
The inheritance.
His temper.
Then he blamed me.
"I never meant to hurt her."
The prosecutor walked closer.
"You texted Marcus the night before."
Silence.
"You ordered the railing weakened."
Silence.
"You lied to first responders."
Silence.
"You attempted to erase surveillance footage."
Silence.
"No further questions."
The jury deliberated for just under four hours.
The foreperson stood.
"We find the defendant..."
"Guilty."
Attempted murder.
Evidence tampering.
Witness intimidation.
Conspiracy.
Tyler closed his eyes.
May you like
For the first time...
No one came to save him.
