Chapter 14 - THE TRIAL OF THE BEST MAN
Julian’s trial lasted four months.
The prosecution began with footage from the wedding kitchen.
Julian entered wearing his best man’s tuxedo.
He removed the toxic substance.
He passed it to Dr. Grant.
He watched as the champagne tray was prepared for Adrian.
Then prosecutors played the elevator-shaft recording.
“This contains the devastating truth about why they desperately needed you completely out of the picture.”
The sentence that once sounded powerful now revealed arrogance.
Julian believed truth belonged to whoever controlled its release.
He never expected Emma to catch the drive.
Celeste testified first.
She described how Vanessa recruited her.
She described the promise of money.
She described Julian’s threats.
When Julian’s attorney accused her of blaming others to reduce her sentence, Celeste agreed.
“I am responsible for what I did.”
“Vanessa is responsible for what she did.”
“And Julian is responsible for building the plan.”
Olivia testified about the kidnapping.
Henry testified about being taken from the rehabilitation center.
His speech was slow.
The courtroom waited for every word.
Julian watched him with contempt.
Henry noticed.
“You thought weakness meant I could not see you,” he said.
“You were wrong.”
Emma testified for two days.
Julian’s attorney tried to portray her as opportunistic.
“You were deeply in debt before the wedding.”
“Yes.”
“You now control Atlas.”
“I co-administer a protected trust.”
“You gained wealth and status.”
“I gained responsibility and threats.”
“You expect the jury to believe you did not want power?”
Emma looked at Julian.
“I wanted enough power to stop the man who kidnapped my father.”
The attorney displayed photographs of Emma meeting with Adrian after the wedding.
“You became close to Mr. Cross.”
“We worked together.”
“Did he offer you money?”
“He offered to pay my legal expenses.”
“Did you accept?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I needed the freedom to disagree with him.”
Adrian testified last.
Julian watched him approach the stand.
For twenty-three years, they had known each other’s habits.
Julian knew Adrian tapped his thumb when angry.
Adrian knew Julian smiled when afraid.
The prosecutor asked whether Adrian had trusted Julian.
“Completely.”
“Why?”
“Because he stood beside me during every crisis.”
“Who created many of those crises?”
“Julian.”
The courtroom became silent.
Adrian continued.
“He made himself necessary.”
“He isolated me from people who questioned him.”
“He encouraged every weakness that increased my dependence.”
Julian’s attorney approached.
“Mr. Cross, is it not true your father destroyed Samuel Mercer?”
“My father investigated him.”
“Is it not true Samuel died before trial?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how?”
“No.”
“Then Julian’s belief that your family killed his father may be correct.”
Adrian looked at Julian.
“Belief does not justify poisoning a wedding guest.”
“It does not justify kidnapping.”
“It does not justify murder.”
The jury deliberated for nine hours.
Julian was found guilty on every count.
At sentencing, he stood before the judge.
He expressed no regret.
He looked toward Adrian.
“You will lose the company without me.”
Adrian shook his head.
“If that happens, it happens.”
Julian finally understood.
The control he had maintained through Adrian’s fear of failure was gone.
The judge sentenced him to life without parole.
As officers led him away, Julian turned toward Emma.
“You caught the drive by accident.”
Emma met his eyes.
“No.”
May you like
“I saw it falling.”
“And I moved.”
