MISCHA WAS LED into the anteroom, where she joined the three others. They'd had similar partings with their families, as indicated by their red, swollen eyes and lifeless expressions. They didn't even have enough energy to hate her, at least not for the time being.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYOCboOC1H
The trial was over. It had lasted just longer than three weeks. Their forensic experts and investigators had been given their chance to testify. The judges put up with their testimony but didn't seem to be listening much at all. They just had to be able to say they gave them their chance to speak.
The court deliberated for two days in closed session. Mischa couldn't imagine what took them so long. Her guess was the sentencing, not the verdicts, had tied them up.
In the courtroom, the three other boyfriends were there with their relatives. Sebastian had taken Zoe and Hania and left the Palais de Justice; they were on their way to Orly Airport for a flight back to Austria. That was Mischa's request. She didn't want any of them to see her like this.
The presiding judge adjusted his microphone and cleared his throat.
"Today, we close one chapter and begin another. What will remain in history as among our republic's most trying challenges, suffering the loss of a beloved president, has in some ways brought out the worst we have to offer. But ultimately, upheld by our nation's resilient spirit, we will look back and see that this challenge has summoned the best we have to offer. We have proceeded with conviction but with compassion, with courage but with caution. And it is with the utmost certainty that this court believes, unanimously, that we have uncovered the truth.
"The accused will stand.
"Robyn 'Rihanna' Fenty, it is the finding of this court that you are guilty as charge in the transfer judgment. You will serve a term of natural life in prison.
"Nicole Richie, it is the finding of this court that you are guilty as charge in the transfer judgment. You will serve a term of thirty years in prison.
"Lindsay Lohan, it is the finding of this court that you are guilty as charged in the transfer judgment. You will serve a term of natural life in prison.
"And Mischa Barton, it is the finding of this court that you are guilty as charge in the transfer judgment. You will serve a term of natural life in prison.
"The prisoners are hereby remanded to the custody of the Ministry of Justice and Liberty. With all deliberate dispatch, the prisoners will be transferred to the Women's Institute for Justice and Reform.
"The members of this honorable court, having reached a final judgment by unanimous vote, have determined that this case is closed. The court stands adjourned."
Everyone reacts differently. There's no manual for it. Most of the spectators cheered upon the judge's final words. Victoria Barraud shook hands with her assistants. Rihanna didn't move. Nicole Richie's legs nearly buckled. Lindsay was the only one who actually wept.
Mischa, her reservoir of tears dried up, had exhausted every emotion of which she was capable. So, just like any observer, she watched as the other women were led out and allowed one final embrace, albeit handcuffed, with their boyfriends. Reporters spilled in, now that the court had adjourned, and from a safe distance---one that was determined by the gendarmerie----they snapped photos of Lindsay and Nicole Richie and Rihanna with their grief-stricken boyfriends and parents.
Mischa's family was gone. Gone for now, and gone forever. And she still couldn't summon up the strength to scream or cry. Instead, she just let her head fall back as far as it would go. She looked up to the ceiling, to beyond this courtroom.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEn01GRfvS
And she burst into laughter!329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ai4VTCyZ3
