Chapter 3: The Trial
Six months later...
Every seat inside the courthouse was occupied.
Reporters crowded the back rows.
Television cameras lined the hallway.
The prosecution didn't begin with witnesses.
They began with video.
The jury watched in complete silence.
Hidden Camera 14.
Bedroom.
2:13 a.m.
Allison injecting Eleanor.
Another clip.
Dragging Eleanor from her wheelchair after refusing medication.
Another.
Striking Jade with a wooden spoon for trying to intervene.
One juror quietly wiped away tears.
Another looked away entirely.
When Jade finally testified, her voice never rose.
"I stayed because Mrs. Eleanor begged me not to leave."
She looked toward Allison.
"I knew if I quit..."
"...she wouldn't survive a week."
Allison's defense attorney attempted one final argument.
"These recordings lack context."
Detective Collins calmly stood.
"They include one hundred and twelve consecutive days."
She paused.
"The context is one hundred and twelve days of torture."
The courtroom became silent.
The verdict required less than two hours.
Guilty.
Attempted murder.
Aggravated assault.
Forgery.
Financial exploitation of an elderly adult.
Insurance fraud.
Witness intimidation.
As deputies placed handcuffs around Allison's wrists, she finally looked toward Ryder.
"I loved you."
He met her eyes one last time.
"No."
"You loved what you could take from people."
May you like
Then he turned away.
Forever.
