“I don’t know how those fingerprints got there,” Zara said, her voice low but steady.
The judge looked at her over his glasses. “Mrs. Zara Johnson, we hear this every day. People commit crimes and later claim they don’t remember or simply deny it.”
A murmur passed through the courtroom.
Without further delay, the judge continued.
“Mrs. Zara Johnson, you will be remanded into custody until the next hearing. The evidence presented is substantial. If you are proven innocent at the next session, you will be released. However ”
His voice hardened.
“if not, you will face full imprisonment. And the punishment will not be light.”
Zara froze.
This wasn’t happening.
It couldn’t be happening.
Marcus rose quickly. “Your Honor ”
But the judge stood, cutting him off completely and exiting thr
