The door swung open, and several guards stepped through, followed by Big Jim Berkley. He towered over most of the people there, but Serena wasn’t intimidated by him. Not anymore. No, she wasn’t giving him the power to make her life a living nightmare, not since she’d seen everything he’d done. She’d always thought him a monster—now there was concrete proof she was right.
He smirked when he spotted her across the room, and held up one hand as far as the attached chain allowed. “Hello, Sharon. It’s been a long time.”
“Not long enough,” she shot back.
“Everyone sit down, and we’ll get started. Present are James Berkley and his legal representation, Derrick Williamson and Antonio Boudreau from the FBI, and Sharon Berkley, aka Serena Snowden, William Hanover and Clarence Lark from the Department of Justice. SAC Williamson, please begin.”
“Thank you, sir. The FBI has provided evidence obtained from a confidential informant conclusively proving James Berkley, alias Big Jim Berkley, was instrumental in the deaths of six people—”
“Objection.” One of Big Jim’s attorneys started to stand, and Williamson glared at him.
“Sit down. This is an informal hearing to provide you with all the new information we’ve received. If you’ll keep your mouth shut, we’ll get through this quicker, and you can meet with your client and tell him how far up the creek he is, without any chance of getting off this wild ride, got it? Good.”
Serena bit back her laughter at the sight of her uncle’s face. Beet red, he was shocked and outraged, sputtering at Williamson’s verbal barrage. If she wasn’t madly in love with Antonio, she’d so go out with Williamson. She gave Antonio’s hand a squeeze to let him know she was handling things alright.
“Enclosed in your packets are copies of the information provided by our informants. They give names, dates, meeting places, as well as photographic evidence confirming each hit. There are transcribed reports of recordings of Mr. Berkley and his known associates discussing said assassinations, as well as Mr. Berkley ordering them. There are outlined account records of money laundering. In addition, there are copies of blueprints and photographs, along with employee schedules, for the buildings that were bombed.”
One of her uncle’s lawyers stood and glared at Williamson. “We have a problem with the FBI and the DOJ using a confidential informant. How do we know this information is reliable? Our client has the right to face his accuser. I don’t see anyone here who could provide you with this kind of information, the veracity of which has yet to be determined. I suggest this information is tainted, fruit from the poisoned tree, and completely unsubstantiated without corroboration.”
One of the representatives from the Department of Justice reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “Send her in.”
A few moments later, the door opened and a tall, elegantly dressed woman strode through. When Berkley spotted her, a string of curses spewed forth, but Serena ignored him and everything else around her, her vision shrinking like a tunnel, focused solely on the woman standing silhouetted in the open doorway.
“Mom?”
She felt more than saw Antonio’s stiffening in shock, but couldn’t take her eyes off the woman, as chaos erupted in the room. Everyone was talking at once, each trying to be heard over the other in a cacophony of louder and louder objections, but Serena didn’t care. Her mother gave her a soft smile, her blue eyes shining with love.
“I said quiet down!” The DOJ representative slammed a book onto the table with a loud bang. Big Jim fought against the guards, trying to keep him in his chair, curses still spewing from his lips.
“Gentlemen, as you can see, our confidential informant is Christine Berkley, James Berkley’s stepsister. We will be scheduling a time and place for a deposition at our earliest convenience. I suggest you confer with your client, and make sure he understands the gravity of the charges leveled against him, as well as the postponement of his appeal.” He glared at the attorneys all huddled around Big Jim. “You’ll also find additional information pertaining to a new set of charges being filed against Mr. Berkley, including bribery of a federal judge.”
“What documentation do you have to make sure allegations against our client?”
A DVD was tossed onto the table. “The Department of Justice, along with the FBI, have been provided with video footage of James Berkley meeting with federal judge Hiram Coleman, and exchanging money to ensure Judge Coleman tampered with the court schedule and presided over Mr. Berkley’s case and sentencing. The judge’s wife was also present at said meeting, and she’ll be facing charges of abuse of her position as a state congresswoman. Despite Mr. Berkley’s attempts to monetarily influence the judicial system, justice prevailed. Take a very good look at the video footage I just provided you with, gentlemen, because it is clear and explicit and damning to your client.”
“That’s impossible!” Big Jim’s face drained of all color, and he appeared to shrivel before Serena’s eyes.
“It’s entirely possible, Uncle. I took the video. I witnessed the meeting, and I’ll be happy to testify against you and your corrupt friends.” Serena’s confidence grew with each word. She was finally free from the terror her uncle inspired for far too long, fear that had kept her frozen. Now he was nothing more than a pathetic petty tyrant whose kingdom had crumbled into ashes at his feet.
The DOJ representative glared at Big Jim’s attorneys, and made a shooing motion. “We’re done here.”
“This isn’t over!” Big Jim shouted as the guards dragged him to his feet. “I’ll kill you all! Especially you, you duplicitous traitor!” He lunged for Christine, and the guards yanked him back and shuffled him out the door. Everyone else followed suit, leaving Serena
