Chapter 13 - The Trial Begins
Vanessa’s criminal trial began eleven months later.
The charges included attempted assault, elder abuse, kidnapping conspiracy, medical fraud, unlawful surveillance, attempted murder, arson, witness intimidation, money laundering, and organized guardianship fraud.
The courtroom was larger than the Grand Hall felt that night.
Former patients filled the gallery.
Families carried photographs of people they once believed dead.
Margaret Hale sat behind her son.
Her hair had grown white during captivity.
She watched Vanessa without looking away.
The prosecution opened with the gala video.
Vanessa raised her hand.
Emma caught the wrist.
Alexander appeared behind them.
The defense argued the clip had been misunderstood because social media created a dramatic narrative.
Then the unedited audio played.
“She should be returned upstairs.”
“She does not know what she is saying.”
“Do you know who runs this event?”
The jury heard Eleanor say Vanessa forced medicine into her mouth.
They saw the glass.
The medical results followed.
Dr. Vale testified.
He admitted prescribing combinations designed to imitate dementia.
Vanessa’s attorney attacked him as a corrupt doctor saving himself.
He agreed.
“I was corrupt.”
“That does not make the prescriptions imaginary.”
Owen Hale testified about the cameras and Evening Bell plan.
His mother watched him admit helping Vanessa imprison others while believing he was protecting his own family.
The defense asked why he should be trusted.
“He should not be trusted because I say so,” Hale answered.
“Trust the files I installed.”
“Trust the payments.”
“Trust the footage.”
“Trust the people who were found alive.”
Eleanor testified from a wheelchair.
She wore the same silver shawl from the gala.
Vanessa’s attorney asked whether age affected her memory.
“Yes.”
“Then you may be mistaken.”
“I forget names sometimes.”
“I do not forget being drugged.”
“Did Vanessa ever say she wanted your shares?”
“She did not need to.”
“She filed for them.”
The attorney asked why Eleanor changed her will.
“Because ownership should not remain a family weapon.”
“Did Emma influence that decision?”
“No.”
“Did Alexander?”
“No.”
“Then why would a woman of your wealth give a palace to servants?”
May you like
Eleanor looked toward the jury.
“Because they already gave their lives to it.”
