Chapter 17 - Collapsing Empires
Two weeks later,
the federal trials began in Manhattan.
Marcus Caruso stood before a federal judge,
dressed in an orange jumpsuit,
stripped of his power,
his wealth,
and his political immunity.
His former associates scrambled to cut deals,
turning on one another in a feeding frenzy of self-preservation.
The trials lasted less than a week.
The evidence provided by the ledger—and corroborated by Gabriel's comprehensive testimony—was absolute and irrefutable.
Marcus was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
As he was led out of the courtroom for the final time,
he didn't look at the press gallery.
He didn't look at the prosecutors.
His eyes locked onto me,
sitting in the front row with Gabriel by my side.
There was no hatred left in his gaze.
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