Page 47

As Hennessy walked into the courthouse, Bernard Palin was waiting in the foyer.

He was leaning by a wall, arms folded, staring at Hennessy as he approached. He was dressed well in a black suit with a blue tie. His shoes were polished, and there was a sheen of sweat on his forehead.

“This is it, uh?”

Palin asked. “After that whole trial, this is it?”

“This is it,”

Hennessy responded. “The jury has told the judge they’ve reached a unanimous decision.”

“Any idea what it is?”

“No.”

“But what do you think?”

“I think you’re corrupt, crooked, and unlikable.”

“Even after all the time we’ve spent together, we’re still not friends. I’m heartbroken.”

Palin scoffed. “What happens if we lose?”

“If they find you guilty of any of the charges, we’ll lodge the appeal today. It’s already drafted and ready to go. We’ve drafted the appeal based on the rejection of the motion for a mistrial.”

“But I would have to stay in prison until then?”

Hennessy nodded.

Palin looked at the ground, rocking side to side. “I can’t do that. I’m not built for prison.”

Hennessy ignored Palin’s emotional moment and walked toward the courtroom. Palin followed a step behind.

They entered the courtroom and found Garrett already at his table with his assistants. They nodded their greeting but didn’t talk to Hennessy or Palin. Once the bailiff allowed the crowd into the room, the seats filled quickly. Hennessy spotted Berkley in the crowd. He had a smirk on his face. That worried Hennessy.

The media had run headlines for the story, and everyone wanted to know if justice would be served. Once every seat was full, the door to Judge Clayton’s chambers opened. Judge Clayton walked in without looking at the lawyers. Hennessy’s breathing shortened.

When instructed, the bailiff went to the side of the room and bought in the jury. They looked anxious, avoiding eye contact with Palin as they entered. One juror bumped into a chair and almost fell over.

When instructed by Judge Clayton, Hennessy and Palin stood.

Judge Clayton turned to the jury. “Jury Foreman, have you reached a verdict in the case against Mr. Bernard Palin?”

“We have, Your Honor.”

The jury foreman stood tall and strong. “We’ve reached a unanimous verdict.”

The jury foreman handed a piece of paper to the bailiff, who, in turn, handed it to Judge Clayton.

Judge Clayton took a few moments to read the verdict, nodded, and then placed the paper down.

Hennessy’s heart was pounding.

“In the charges of Breach of Trust, how do you find the defendant, Mr. Bernard Palin?”

The moment they had been waiting for. The moment they had worked towards.

“We, the jury, in the charges of fraud, find the defendant not guilty.”

“In the charges of fraud, how do you find the defendant, Mr. Bernard Palin?”

“Not guilty.”

“And in the charges of forgery, how do you find the defendant, Mr. Bernard Palin?”

Hennessy closed his eyes. The moment lingered.

“Not guilty.”