“The Trial Chamber has reached a verdict in this case,” Judge Orozco intoned. “It is a majority verdict, as required by our rules, but it is not unanimous. The verdict on all of the counts of the indictment is the same.”
Kevin struggled to process this information. A 2-1 verdict. But for acquittal or conviction?
Judge Orozco continued. “Separate majority and dissenting opinions will be filed in due course. Only the result will be announced this morning.”
Kevin looked around the courtroom, desperate for a clue. If any of the court personnel knew what the outcome was, they didn’t show it. The clerks, guards, and interpreters all had their eyes fixed on Judge Orozco, her black and red robes framed by the sky blue background of the United Nations flag.
Kevin gave up his attempt at cognitive analysis.
Instead, he closed his eyes, rubbed the stone, and prayed.
EIGHT MONTHS EARLIER…
CHAPTER 1
“I can’t believe we’re moving to Holland tomorrow, Daddy.”
Kevin Anderson beamed at his eleven-year-old daughter, Ellen, as they huddled together over a two-scoop vanilla sundae with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
She was beautiful, with her long brown hair gathered into a ponytail by a purple scrunchy; fun-loving, liquid-brown eyes, and a batch of girlish freckles on her nose.
“It’s going to be an adventure,” he said, smiling.
Her expressive face had morphed from a smile into a frown. “I’m really going to miss my friends. And my new school is so big. How will I ever find my way around?”
“You have plenty of experience finding your way around,” he said, nodding toward the Game Boy that sat on their white marble table at the soda fountain. “You get around Super Mario Land real well.”
Ellen’s face broke into a wide grin. “Can I play while we finish our ice cream?”