Chapter 9 - The Sentencing
The federal courthouse was packed with reporters, onlookers, and military personnel.
Maya sat completely upright in the front row, holding my hand tightly.
She was wearing a beautiful navy blue dress, her bruises fully healed, her spirit restored.
Connor Kensington was escorted into the courtroom wearing chains.
He looked pathetic, his shoulders slumped, his eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
He couldn't even look at Maya.
The judge, a stern federal magistrate who could not be bought, slammed his gavel.
"Connor Kensington, you have been found guilty of domestic assault and attempted assault on a federal officer," the judge announced.
"Given your complete lack of remorse and violent history, I am sentencing you to ten years in federal lockup."
Connor broke down crying, begging for mercy as the bailiffs dragged him away.
Next, Beatrice was brought into the room.
She looked frail, her spirit completely broken by the isolation of a prison cell.
"Beatrice Kensington," the judge continued, looking down at her with absolute disgust.
"Your corruption has poisoned this state for decades."
"I am accepting your guilty plea, and I am sentencing you to fifteen years without the possibility of parole."
Beatrice didn't cry.
She just stared blankly ahead, a hollow shell of the tyrant she used to be.
As they led her away, she finally looked back and locked eyes with me.
There was no hatred left in her gaze.
There was only defeat.
Arthur Kensington was sitting in the back of the courtroom, a free man due to his immunity deal.
But he was completely ruined.
His political career was dead, his family fortune had been seized by the federal government, and he was a social outcast.
He quietly slipped out of the back doors, disappearing into obscurity.
Maya squeezed my hand, a genuine, beautiful smile breaking across her face.
"It's over, Mom," she whispered.
"Yes, it is," I smiled back.
"They can never hurt you again."
We stood up and walked out of the courtroom together, stepping out into the bright Virginia sunlight.
The press tried to swarm us, shouting questions and flashing cameras.
May you like
My military security detail expertly pushed them back, clearing a path for us.
We ignored the noise and walked toward our waiting car.
