The great thug of a police officer glared at Jack as he led him into the courtroom. Clearly he was not a man to mess with, not that he would even consider it. At the moment his legs were struggling just to hold him up. The walk to the dock for his sentencing was one of the most degrading things he’d ever done. There was a crowd. He knew they were watching him. He felt their hate.
He kept his head down. The heavy leg chains cut into his ankles as he walked. When he stepped up to the dock he swallowed a lump in his throat that was as hard as a wrecking ball. He directed his gaze over his shoulder, forcing himself to look at the ageing judge. The judge’s eyebrows were a mass of wiry hairs that scrambled in all directions and his small half-glasses threatened to fall off the very tip of his aquiline nose. Two months in this courtroom and this was the first time Jack had really studied him. If he hadn’t been in such a horrible space right now, he might have found his appearance almost comical.
As they had done every day since the beginning of the trial, his eyes soon swept to the people in the crowd. It was horrible to see people he knew; his friends glared at him, as did his neighbours. But the police officer who arrested him, Montgomery Steel, had a strange, almost gloating, look on his face. Jack’s chin dimpled as he looked into the eyes of Pearl and Ian, the bank manager. Jack was horrified at how much he’d hurt them. Hearing their testimonies had been gut-wrenching.
His breath suddenly caught in his throat. Three rows back from the front sat Candice. Her tiny body was almost consumed by the high-backed wooden court chair she sat in. He wondered how she got here, and his question was answered when the man beside her handed her a tissue. It was her brother. He was pleased Michael had taken the time off to be with Candice. She needed him right now.
Jack hadn’t heard a word the judge had spoken, but when Candice suddenly burst into tears he jolted back to the present.
“—sentenced to nine years’ jail.” The judge finished what he was saying and the noise of his gavel echoed in Jack’s ears as it crashed down in conclusion of the sentencing.
The room came alive and Jack became acutely aware of everything. It seemed that almost every person in the courthouse was now standing up and yelling at him.
“Where did you hide it, Jack?”
“What’s your plan with the money?”
“Someone will find it while you’re locked up. What do you say about that?”
But he blocked them out as he sought out Candice in the crowd. He only saw quick glimpses of her amongst the bustling throng. She had remained seated, hunched over, a tissue across her nose and mouth. He battled with the shackles to get down from the dock. As he was led along the front of the courtroom, he turned to look over his shoulder and their eyes met.
“I’m sorry, Candice. I’m so sorry.” He mouthed the words, fully aware that she couldn’t have heard him over the angry mob even if she had wanted to.
Michael grabbed her shoulders to turn her away.
“Look after her, Michael. She needs you now.” That he screamed and at first he thought Michael hadn’t heard it. But when Michael turned, the look on his face was one of pure hatred.
The guard guided him to the swinging wooden doors and as they passed through, he was certain he could hear Candice sobbing.