Chapter 22 - The Broken Code
The jury deliberated for less than three hours—the fastest verdict in the history of the Westbridge Federal District.
When Judge Morrison re-entered the courtroom to read the verdicts, the room held its collective breath.
"On count one, Racketeering Conspiracy: Guilty."
"On count two, International Arms Trafficking: Guilty."
"On count three, First-Degree Murder of Officer Daniel Reed: Guilty."
Across all two hundred and fourteen counts, Frank Thorne and his confederates were found guilty on every single charge.
Thorne was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole at ADX Florence Supermax. Commissioner Walter Vance received twenty-five years for federal corruption. Deputy Chief Sterling was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder.
As Thorne was led out of the courtroom in heavy chains, he looked over at Caleb one final time.
Caleb did not gloat. He did not smile. He simply nodded—a quiet, dignified closing of an eighteen-year chapter of pain.
The gavel struck the sounding block with a resounding crack:
May you like
*Court is adjourned.*
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