Chapter 10 - The Cold Click of Handcuffs and the Final Judgment
The morning rain poured relentlessly against the gray concrete walls of the Cook County District Court.
Ethan Cole sat on a wooden bench outside Courtroom 302,
staring blankly at his muddy shoes.
He had no coat.
He was shivering uncontrollably.
His body burned with fever,
his throat was dry,
and his spirit was completely shattered.
The heavy wooden doors of the courtroom swung open.
A tall man in a dark trench coat walked out,
accompanied by two uniformed officers from the United States Marshals Service.
The man pulled a gold badge from his pocket,
holding it up in front of Ethan's face.
"Ethan Cole?"
the agent asked coldly.
Ethan slowly lifted his head,
his eyes dull and lifeless.
"Yes,"
he whispered.
"I am Special Agent Miller,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,"
the officer announced,
reading from a folded paper.
"I have a warrant for your arrest issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois."
"You are being charged with eight counts of federal wire fraud,"
"four counts of corporate embezzlement,"
"and three counts of felony bank fraud involving false loan applications."
Ethan didn't move.
He didn't scream.
He didn't try to run.
He had no energy left to fight the avalanche he had brought upon himself.
The marshal stepped behind Ethan,
grabbing his wrists,
pulling them behind his back.
CLICK.
CLICK.
The cold steel of the handcuffs locked tightly around his wrists,
pinching his skin.
"You have the right to remain silent,"
Agent Miller recited monotonically as they hoisted Ethan to his feet.
"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
"You have the right to an attorney."
"If you cannot afford an attorney,"
"one will be provided for you by the court."
They led Ethan down the long,
dimly lit corridor toward the rear holding cells.
As he passed the wide glass windows looking out onto the street below,
Ethan caught sight of a sleek black limousine pulling up to the curb.
The chauffeur opened the door.
Clara Vance stepped out under a large black umbrella held by her assistant.
She was surrounded by reporters,
executives,
and city officials,
stepping into the majestic lobby of the financial tower across the street to launch her new global foundation.
She did not look back at the courthouse.
She did not look at the police cruisers parked out front.
She walked forward into her bright,
unlimited future,
leaving the man who had tried to destroy her behind in chains.
Ethan was led into the elevator,
May you like
the heavy steel doors sliding shut,
locking him into the dark,
Related Stories
