Chapter 11 - THE SHADOW’S TRIAL
Three weeks passed.
The city of Chicago seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
The federal trials against the remnants of the Moretti syndicate began in federal court.
Don Vincente Moretti sat at the defense table in an orange jumpsuit and heavy iron shackles.
His fortune was gone.
His associates were turning state’s evidence one by one.
In the gallery sat Adrien Voss, impeccably tailored in a charcoal three-piece suit.
Beside him sat Isabella.
She wore an elegant cream wool dress with a sapphire brooch pinned near her collar.
Her bruises had completely healed.
Her skin was glowing, radiant with health and peace.
When the lead prosecutor presented the final unsealed state treasury documents, the entire courtroom fell silent.
Thomas Jenkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Public Integrity by the Governor of Illinois.
His name was cleared of every false stain.
Isabella sat with her head held high, tears of pride streaming down her cheeks.
Beside her, Adrien reached out beneath the wooden bench and squeezed her hand.
She looked at him and smiled through her tears.
Justice, cold and absolute, had finally been served.
That afternoon, they visited Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Room 512 was bathed in bright afternoon sunlight.
Little Leo was sitting up in bed, surrounded by new LEGO sets and model airplanes.
His cheeks were round and pink again.
His latest blood counts were the best they had been in two years.
“Bella!” Leo cheered, throwing his arms around his sister as she entered.
Isabella scooped her brother into an embrace, kissing his temple repeatedly.
“Look what Adrien brought me!” Leo beamed, pointing to a massive remote-controlled helicopter on the dresser.
Adrien leaned against the doorframe, a relaxed smile on his face.
“Mr. Voss,” Leo said, looking at the mafia boss with wide, solemn eyes.
“Yes, young man?”
“Are you still a knight?”
Adrien walked over to the bed.
He sat on the edge of the mattress and ruffled the boy’s soft new hair.
“Only when your sister needs me,” Adrien replied.
Leo giggled, high-fiving the terrifying mafia king who had brought an entire underworld to its knees.
Isabella watched them from the foot of the bed.
Her heart swelled with a happiness so profound it made her eyes sting.
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Two years ago, she had entered Adrien’s mansion expecting to die in the shadows.
Today, she stood in the brilliant light of a brand-new life.
