Chapter 11: The Bail Hearing
Chapter 11: The Bail Hearing
The courtroom was packed to absolute capacity, buzzing like a live wire with reporters, legal aides, and curious onlookers. Preston sat at the defense table, his face pale, hollowed out, and unshaven—a stark, pathetic contrast to the man who once commanded opulent ballrooms.
His court-appointed public defender argued passionately for release on bail, emphasizing Preston's past status as a pillar of the business community and claiming he was not a flight risk.
The prosecuting attorney stepped forward, calm and composed, and requested permission to play a brief excerpt from the recovered audio files. The courtroom speakers crackled to life, broadcasting Preston’s own arrogant voice laughing about Richard Hayes's failing heart.
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The presiding judge’s expression hardened instantly into cold granite. "Given the nature of the violent premeditation and the severity of the charges, bail is unequivocally denied."
Preston turned back toward the gallery, locking eyes with Emily, who sat in the front row holding little Richard's framed photograph. She didn't gloat, smile, or scowl. She simply looked straight through him, as if he were already nothing more than a passing ghost.
