Chapter 117
“On the twelve counts of Identy Theft Fraud, we, the jury, find the accused, Derrik Preston, guilty on all counts.”
“On the four counts of Attempted Murder, we, the jury, find the accused, Derrik Preston, guilty on all counts.”
“On the three charges of Breaking and Entering, we, the jury, find the accused, Derrik Preston, guilty on all counts.”
“On the five counts of Mortgage Fraud, we, the jury, find the accused, Derrik Preston, guilty on all counts.”
“On the six counts of Aggravated Assault, we, the jury, find the accused; Derrik Preston, guilty on all counts.”
The reading went on, covering all the different charges. Meanwhile, Miriam was wailing. Pandora closed her eyes, feeling a sense of relief, as each charge came back guilty.
“Mr. Preston, you have been found guilty by a jury of your peers; you will be remanded in custody and sentenced on Friday at ten
a.m.-
“No! No, not my boy! You’ve made the wrong choice, you stupid people! I’ll end you all for doing this to my baby boy, do you hear me?” Miriam yelled at the jury.
“Ma’am, I am not finished,” the judge hissed at her but she glared right back at him.
“Do your job right then and tell these idiots they are wrong!”
“Bailiff, take her into custody,” the judge sighed, and Pandora watched with her mouth open as she was led away screaming. The courtroom was brought under control and the judge finished excusing the jury, before adjourning the court for the day.
The next few days went by quickly, which Pandora was grateful for. It was Friday, and for what she to go to the courthouse over Derrik. As they were beckoned to walk in, she looked around the
hoped
Courtroom.
“Where is Ron?”
the last time she had
Benjamin just shrugged but it was very strange that he wasn’t there. The court was called to order and the judge asked for statements. The District Attorney read letters written by Pandora, Mackenna, Benjamin, and Pandora’s father. After the letters were
read, the judge sat quietly for a moment.
He cleared his throat and told Derrik to stand. “Mr. Preston, you have been found guilty on several counts and charges, and the sentencing has been left up to me. After hearing the victim impact statements and watching you show not an ounce of remorse for your actions, makes me angry. You have been found guilty on sixty–three different counts, among many different charges. The charges all are felonies, due to the intensity, damage, and obvious planning you put behind them.”
The judge read out the jail time for every cluster of crimes Derrik had committed. In the end, the judge added his own opinion.
“Mr. Preston, you will never see the light of day outside the walls of carceration again. You are to serve your sentencing consecutively, which means with the total of six hundred and forty years you have been sentenced to serve, you will not be eligible for parole for at least two hundred years from today. You are also fined fifteen million dollars in fines and restitution. Bailiff, remove this man from my court.”
Pandora heard a sob and looked at Derrik, who was crying hard. He looked shocked that he was getting the sentence the judge just
handed out.
“Let’s go home, Benjamin said with a smile, and Pandora nodded, knowing that Derrik’s spree of terror was over for good.
1/2
It had been almost a week since the sentencing hearing and life had been calm. Pandora was now enjoying her time with her family, and no longer feeling the need look over her shoulder.
She did worry after she got home about Miriam, but she got into a fight in jail–the other woman was stabbed. Of course, Miriam claimed the knife belonged to the other woman and she was defending herself. The DA investigated and charged her with attempted murder, and as of right then, she was staying in jail on no bond.
Alexis and Milton took a vacation to an island off the coast since things were safe at home.
Pandora walked into Ron’s spa.
“Hi,” she said, taking a seat as the hairdresser finished her client’s hat. She picked up a magazine and started reading. After about five minutes, she felt weird. It was like there was something missing
“Come on, Pandora,” Keira called and Pandora looked over in surprise.
“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“Yeah, I am hanging around here on my day off.”
Pandora shook off the feeling that something was wrong and got up, walking to her. “How are you feeling? It seems like forever since we last talked,” Pandora said, making her shake her head.
“It was just five days ago,” Keira stated.
Pandora hummed but it felt so much longer. “How about dinner- me and Benjamin, Sia, and Royce, and you and…” She trailed off, pulling away from Pandora as she looked around. “Where’s Ron?” she questioned when it came to her that she hadn’t seen him for a long time.
“He’s away for a few days,” Keira tried to say calmly but her voice rose a little. Pandora felt her heart take off.
“What has he done?” she hissed.
“He’s got himself arrested, but Hill said he’ll be out in a week.”
Pandora’s mouth opened and closed, unable to form words. It took her a while before she could gather her thoughts. “What the hell is he up to?” she asked Keira, knowing full well what Ron was capable of, and hiding from the law was one of them if he was doing something wrong.
“Payback!” Keira said with a shrug and Pandora shook her head.
She should have known better than to think Ron would have left Derik with just getting put in prison for the rest of his life. She couldn’t help but wish Milton wasn’t gone on vacation. Ron may not have been brazen if he were in town.
