“On the charges of grand larceny, corporate fraud, and conspiracy, we find the defendants guilty.”

“On the charges of child abuse, false imprisonment, and criminal negligence, we find the defendants guilty.”

The judge, a stern woman with gray hair, did not show mercy.

“You took motherless children and treated them as financial instruments,” she said to Vanessa.

“You exploited their grief and their vulnerability.”

“You, Julian Vance, violated your fiduciary duty and your family’s trust.”

She sentenced both of them to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Vanessa did not cry.

She stared at the judge with a cold, blank expression.

As she was led out through the side door, she looked at Benjamin one last time.

He did not look back.

He was already looking at the exit.

We walked out of the courthouse into the bright Colorado sunshine.

The air was warm now; summer had arrived.

“How are the girls doing?” I asked as we reached his car.

“Emma started speaking again last week,” Benjamin said.

“She asked if we could plant a garden behind the guest house.”

“And the others?”