Chapter 9 - The Final Verdict
It took the jury less than two hours to return a verdict.
At 4:15 PM on a bright Thursday afternoon, the judge reconvened the court.
"In the matter of State of Arizona v. Kristina Finch, on count one, attempted first-degree murder: Guilty. On count two, conspiracy to commit murder: Guilty. On count three, grand larceny: Guilty."
Kristina did not scream this time. She collapsed back into her chair like a hollow doll, weeping silently into her trembling hands.
"In the matter of State of Arizona v. Edgar Finch, on count one, conspiracy to commit murder: Guilty. On count two, commercial fraud and embezzlement: Guilty."
Edgar closed his eyes, a single tear running down his pale cheek as his attorney rested a hand on his shoulder.
Three weeks later, the sentencing hearing was conducted.
The judge, a stern woman with thirty years on the bench, looked down at the defense table with disgust.
"In my thirty years on the bench," the judge declared, her voice echoing off the wood paneling, "I have rarely witnessed a plot so utterly cold, so devoid of human empathy, and so driven by pure, unadulterated greed. You targeted a woman who had given you shelter, employment, and trust for a decade."
The judge leaned forward.
"Kristina Finch, I sentence you to thirty-five years in the Arizona Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole. Given your age, this is effectively a life sentence."
Kristina let out a muffled sob, bowing her head to the table.
"Edgar Finch," the judge continued, "for your role in the conspiracy and the systematic theft of over six million dollars, I sentence you to twenty-two years in state prison, to run consecutively with your federal wire fraud sentence."
As the bailiffs stepped forward to chain their wrists and ankle cuffs, leading them away through the heavy side door toward the holding cell, Edgar turned his head one last time.
He looked at Nora, who was standing in the front row of the gallery.
May you like
"Nora..." he mouthed, his lips trembling, his eyes filled with a desperate, pathetic plea for forgiveness.
Nora did not smile. She did not nod. She simply looked at him, turned on her heel, and walked out of the courtroom into the bright afternoon sunlight, leaving him behind in the dark.
