Chapter 9 - The Verdict and the AshesTwo days later, the jury returned with their verdict after only two hours of deliberation.

The courtroom was dead silent.
"On Count 1: Premeditated Attempted First-Degree Murder," the jury foreman read, "we find the defendant, Evelyn Whitmore... GUILTY."
"On Count 2: Conspiracy to Commit Capital Murder... GUILTY." "On Count 3: First-Degree Murder in the death of Julian Thorne... GUILTY."
Evelyn stood rigid as the charges were read. She was sentenced to Life Imprisonment without the possibility of parole, plus 40 years.
Next was Reid Whitmore.
"On Count 1: Attempted Second-Degree Murder," the foreman read, "we find the defendant, Reid Whitmore... GUILTY." "On Count 2: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon... GUILTY."
Reid received 25 years in state prison. Because of the severity of the crime and the loss of the unborn children under the fetal protection act, he would serve at least twenty years before being eligible for parole.
Finally, Sloane Mercer was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role as an accessory to conspiracy and evidence tampering.
As the guards stepped forward to chain Reid's wrists and ankles, he turned toward the gallery. He looked at me, his eyes swollen, tears running freely down his cheeks.
"Mara..." he whispered, his voice cracking. "I’m sorry... I’m so sorry..."
I stood up from my seat in the gallery. I looked him dead in the eye.
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"I hope you think about our twins every single night when they lock your cell door, Reid," I said, my voice steady and firm. "Because that cell is where you belong."
Reid closed his eyes and began to sob as he was led away through the heavy steel door, his chains rattling with every step.