Chapter 9 - The Federal Gavel of Justice
Six months after that chaotic dinner in downtown Chicago, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois delivered the final criminal sentences.
Sitting in the front row of the gallery were Daniel and myself, our hands resting calmly on our laps.
Andrew Bennett and Vanessa Mercer sat at the defense table in bright orange federal prison jumpsuits, their heads hung low as Judge Robert Vance took the bench.
“Andrew Bennett, Vanessa Mercer,” Judge Vance announced, his voice echoing through the silent stone chamber. “You engaged in a calculated, depraved scheme of commercial bribery, identity theft, and corporate embezzlement, driven by pure greed and moral bankruptcy.”
Judge Vance struck his heavy gavel with a resounding boom.
“Andrew Bennett is hereby sentenced to eight years at the Federal Correctional Institution, Oxford, without the possibility of early parole.”
“Vanessa Mercer is sentenced to six years at the Federal Prison Camp, Greenville, followed by full financial forfeiture of all commercial licenses.”
As federal marshals escorted the two weeping convicts through the heavy iron holding door forever, Daniel turned to me with a warm, genuine smile.
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“Justice is complete, Claire,” Daniel said softly.
“Yes, Daniel,” I smiled, drawing a deep, pure breath. “The slate is clean.”
