Chapter 12 - THE PRISON VISITOR
Inside the visitor room at the federal correctional facility, the air smelled of floor wax and stale coffee. Julian sat at a metal table bolt-fastened to the concrete floor, wearing an orange jump suit that hung loosely over his thin frame.
The heavy steel door unlocked with a loud buzz, and Veronica walked in, sitting down on the stool across from him behind a thick pane of plexiglass. She looked tired, her glamorous appearance completely gone, replaced by the harsh reality of her new life.
"Why did you come here, Veronica?" Julian asked, his voice raspy and hollow as he picked up the internal telephone handset.
Veronica picked up her handset, looking at him with a mixture of anger and deep regret. "I came to give you this," she said, tapping a legal document against the glass.
"What is it?" Julian asked, his brow furrowing.
"It's a court summons," Veronica replied coldly. "The federal government has seized the emerald gown and the jewelry you bought me, claiming they were purchased with stolen funds. I am facing five years of probation because of your lies."
May you like
Julian let out a bitter, lifeless laugh, leaning his forehead against the cold plexiglass. "We both thought we were so smart, Veronica. We thought she was just a quiet girl who didn't know how the world worked."
Veronica looked at him for a long moment before hanging up the phone without another word, stepping out through the heavy steel door that slammed shut behind her.
