Chapter 2 - The Boy in the Gallery
"The prosecution rests," Thorne announced, flashing a triumphant smile toward Margaret. "We ask the court to find the defendant guilty and hand down the maximum sentence for grand larceny to set a deterrent example."
The judge nodded, picking up his wooden gavel. "Does the defendant have any final words before the bench renders its verdict?"
Clara opened her mouth, but her throat went completely dry. The words wouldn't come. She looked down at her empty hands, realizing that justice was never designed for people like her.
"I..." she whispered, her voice cracking. "I didn't steal it."
"May the court—" the judge began, raising the gavel.
BANG!
The heavy oak doors at the back of the courtroom burst wide open with a force that rattled the stained-glass windows.
"STOP IT! STOP LYING!"
A shrill, tear-streaked voice echoed off the high ceilings. Gasps erupted across the courtroom as a small figure came barreling down the central aisle, dodging startled court bailiffs. It was seven-year-old Idan. He had slipped away from his nanny’s grip outside the courthouse, his little shoes clicking frantically against the marble floor.
"Idan!" Adam jumped up from his seat, panic flashing across his stoic face for the first time. "What are you doing here?"
Margaret’s face turned the color of ash. "Get that child out of here this instant! This is a court of law, not a playground!"
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Idan ignored them all. He ran straight past the defense table, ignoring Thorne entirely, and threw his small arms around Clara’s waist, burying his face in her coat and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Clara! They can't put you away! You didn't do it!" Idan cried, looking up with fierce, bloodshot eyes at the judge. "Grandma is lying! She’s the one who hid the necklace!"
