He left, and I returned to my former hollowness.
Back to the void.
* * *
Two more days passed before I got to see Amelia.
She sat amongst the visitors in the public gallery. Next to her were Claudius, Pa, and Sinclaire.
I sat with my lawyer at the defense table. Across from us was a badass prosecuting lawyer called Simms. I’d had a run-in with him a couple of times.
Presiding was Judge Montpellier. I’d never seen him before or heard of him.
He looked at me like he didn’t like the look of me.
I stared at Amelia, wishing I could hold her one last time. Wishing and praying, but I knew that was just a dream.
A woman like that was always a dream to me.
Raphael had asked me to take care of his daughter, but look at me. Right now, I couldn’t even take care of myself.
The judge cleared his throat, and I returned my focus to him.
“Okay, this is going to be quick unless there is any further evidence that needs to be considered.” He looked from Simms to my lawyer. Both shook their heads. “Will the defendant please rise.” He focused his eyes on me.
I felt nervous and helpless as I stood. Damn, was I ever the shadow of the man I used to be. The big bad from Chicago. Lucian Morientz.
Fuck.
Judge Montpellier cleared his throat. “I’ve deliberated over the charges presented, and this is my ruling. The evidence is substantial and irrefutable. So, Lucian Morientz, you are guilty as charged in line with the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The defendant acted knowingly and intentionally in contravention to the laws set out by this Act. As such, the Court is prepared to proceed to sentencing. Since the defendant has no prior convictions of this nature, I see this as a level nineteen offence. So, I sentence you to thirty-seven months in prison.”
Well, at least it wasn’t twenty years.
If they’d gotten all the dirt on the old me, it might have been life.
I said the old me because the guy who did all that shit wasn’t me anymore.
I looked back at Amelia, who was crying. Claudius had his arm around her.
“I’m sorry,” I said although she couldn’t hear me.
She read my lips though and shook her head. “I love you,” she mouthed back.
Three years and one month.
I was sure I’d die. It had been hard to be without her for just the few days I hadn’t seen her.
This would be the straw that broke my back.
Chapter 20
Amelia
* * *
It started to rain. Just like last time. Ironic.
Another funeral.
