Chapter 10 - THE CELL OF SATIN
In the county jail’s high-security holding facility, Victoria Sterling sat on a cold steel bench attached to the concrete wall of her cell.
The gold satin dress was gone, replaced by a coarse, oversized orange jumpsuit that felt rough and degrading against her skin. Her styled golden waves of hair had collapsed into a disheveled, damp mess, and her pearl necklace had been logged into the evidence locker.
The heavy iron door of the visitation room slid open with a loud, mechanical screech, and her defense attorney, Richard Vance, stepped inside carrying a leather briefcase.
"Get me out of here, Richard," Victoria demanded instantly, her voice raspy, her eyes wide with frantic desperation. "Post the bail! I can't spend another hour in this place!"
Vance sat down at the small metal table, looking at her with a mix of professional detachment and pity. "There is no bail, Victoria. The judge reviewed the 4K video footage from the security system. Given the nature of the evidence, the severity of the charge, and your financial resources, you have been designated a flight risk and a danger to society. You are being held without bond until the trial."
"That video is inadmissible!" Victoria yelled, slamming her hands against the table. "It was recorded on private property without my consent! You can get it thrown out!"
"It was recorded on Arthur's property by his own security system," Vance countered cold, adjusting his glasses. "It is entirely legal, perfectly clear, and completely damning. If we go to trial with that video, a jury will convict you in less than thirty minutes."
Victoria sank back into her metal chair, her chest heaving, her arrogance finally giving way to the cold, icy terror of absolute defeat.
"What about the plea deal?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
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"The District Attorney isn't offering a plea deal," Vance said flatly. "Especially not now that the state police have exhumed your sister's body for a forensic toxicology screen."
Victoria’s breath hitched in her throat. The color drained from her face entirely, leaving her looking like a hollow shell of the elegant woman who had stood by the turquoise pool just twelve hours before.
