Not hatred.

Just nothing.

They had used up every feeling I had for them on a kitchen floor six months before.

Chapter 17 — The Verdict

The jury was gone for less than two hours.

They convicted Derek of aggravated domestic assault, of tampering with evidence, and of attempted coercion.

Sylvia, prosecuted separately for her part, later pleaded guilty to conspiracy and to witness intimidation, the pearls nowhere in evidence by then.

Derek was sentenced to eight years in a state facility.