“I sentence you to eight years at the state correctional facility for aggravated assault and felony battery, to run consecutively with seven years for federal grand larceny and corporate embezzlement. You will serve a minimum of twelve years before becoming eligible for parole. Furthermore, full restitution in the amount of three million four hundred thousand dollars is ordered to be paid immediately from any remaining personal liquid assets.”
Daniel slumped forward, burying his face in his cuffed hands, his shoulders shaking with silent, terrified sobs as the court bailiffs stepped forward and hauled him to his feet.
As they led him through the side door toward the holding cells, he looked back at me one last time—his eyes hollow, desperate, and pleading.
I didn’t smile. I didn’t sneer. I simply looked through him as if he were nothing more than a ghost.
***
