Chapter 9 - The ArraignmentThe city courthouse was packed with news reporters and cameras on Monday morning. The story of the "ICU Father" had broken in the local media over the weekend, sparking outrage across the entire state.
I sat in the front row of the courtroom, holding Victoria Sterling's hand tightly on one side and Detective Vance on the other.
The side door opened, and two armed bailiffs led Trevor into the courtroom. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit, his hands and feet chained together. He looked gaunt, pale, and disheveled. The arrogance he had displayed in Room 412 was completely gone, replaced by a desperate, trapped look in his eyes.
As he was led past our row, his eyes locked onto mine. He stopped for a fraction of a second, his mouth opening as if to speak.
"Keep moving, inmate," the bailiff barked, nudging him forward toward the defense table.
Judge Eleanor Vance took the bench, her expression stern as she looked down at the court documents.
"Mr. Brooks," Judge Vance said, her voice echoing clearly off the high marble walls. "You stand accused of Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Minor, Grand Larceny, Corporate Embezzlement, Forgery of Medical Directives, and Child Abuse with Severe Bodily Harm. How does the defense plead?"
Trevor’s public defender stood up. "Your Honor, my client pleads not guilty by reason of extreme psychological distress."
"Distress?!" Detective Vance muttered under his breath beside me.
scalable anger stirred in my chest, but I remained motionless, keeping my eyes fixed on Trevor.
"The prosecution has submitted overwhelming physical, toxicological, and digital evidence," Judge Vance declared, ignoring the defense's plea. "Given the extraordinary cruelty of the alleged acts, the premeditated nature of the poisoning, and the flight risk posed by the defendant's foreign financial holdings, bail is denied. Mr. Brooks will remain in maximum-security custody at County Jail pending full trial."
Trevor’s eyes widened in panic. "Your Honor, please! I need medical attention! My wife lied about—"
"Silence in the court!" Judge Vance slammed her gavel down with a sharp CRACK. "Bailiffs, remove the defendant."
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As the guards grabbed his arms to drag him out through the side exit, Trevor thrashed against his chains, turning his head toward me one last time. "Hannah! Please! Talk to them! You can't leave me in here!"
I met his frantic gaze with cold, unyielding silence. I didn't yell. I didn't cry. I simply looked at him until the doors slammed shut, cutting off his desperate shouts forever.
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