*Hold on, Beth. Almost over.*
The judge hands the forms back to the bailiff, who returns them to the jury foreman. "The defendants will please rise," she instructs.
Judge Harmon, Commissioner Reynolds, and Mayor Blackwell stand alongside their attorneys. Their faces display varying degrees of confidence, but I catch the nervous adjustments of ties, the subtle shifting of weight from one foot to another. They're worried, as they should be.
"On the charge of conspiracy to commit fraud, how do you find?" the judge asks.
The foreman clears his throat. "We find the defendants guilty, Your Honor."
A murmur ripples through the courtroom. Beth remains perfectly still.
"On the charge of extortion, how do you find?"
"Guilty, Your Honor."
The murmur grows louder. One of the defendants—Reynolds—visibly pales.
"On the charge of corrupt influence, how do you find?"
"Guilty, Your Honor."
The judge calls for order as the courtroom erupts in hushed conversations. One by one, the jury foreman reads through the remaining charges. Guilty on all counts. Every single one.
I watch Beth's shoulders slump slightly. Not in defeat, but in relief. It's over. She did it. Against all odds, against powerful men who tried to silence her, she stood firm and delivered justice.
The judge bangs her gavel, announcing that sentencing will be scheduled for a later date. The defendants are remanded into custody, their bail revoked given the severity of the crimes and the new flight risk they present.
As court officers move to take the convicted men into custody, I slip out of the courtroom, positioning myself in the hallway. Ineed to be ready when Beth emerges, need to get her safely out of this building and away from potential retaliation.
My phone vibrates. A message from Blade *News vans arriving. Lots of cameras.*
Perfect. Just what we need, media attention making Beth an even more visible target.
The courtroom doors open, and people begin streaming out. I stand straighter, scanning each face until I spot her. Beth emerges alongside the federal prosecutor, who's leaning in, saying something to her. She nods, shakes his hand, and then they part ways.
For a moment, she looks lost in the crowd, a small island of stillness amid the flowing current of bodies. Then her eyes find mine across the hallway, and everything else fades away.
The smile that blooms across her face is like sunrise after the longest night. I move toward her, navigating through the crowd with purpose. Every instinct is screaming at me to get her out of here, to complete the mission and ensure her safety. But another part, the part that held her through the night, that made promises in quiet moments between danger, just wants to hold her again.
"It's over," Beth says, her voice barely audible over the noise of the hallway. "They're going to prison."
"You did it," I tell her, fighting the urge to pull her into my arms. We're still in public, still potentially watched. "You were incredible in there."
"Can we leave now?" she asks, her eyes darting around the crowded hallway. Despite the verdict, the fear hasn't completely left her. It might never leave entirely.
"Yes. Come on."
I place my hand on her back, guiding her toward the side exit where Viper is waiting.
"Almost there," I murmur to Beth as we approach the employee exit. "Blade's waiting with a car."
She nods, keeping pace with me, her earlier courtroom confidence giving way to the hypervigilance of a prey leaving cover. I want to tell her it's okay now, that she's safe, but I won't lie to her. Not until we're well away from here, from the men who still have resources and connections despite their convictions.
We push through the exit door into bright afternoon sunlight. Blade stands beside a nondescript sedan, eyes constantly scanning. When he spots us, he gives a curt nod. All clear.
"Let's go," I say, increasing our pace slightly.
We're halfway to the car when I hear Beth's name called from behind us. We both turn to see a news crew approaching rapidly, camera hoisted, microphone extended.
