Chapter 10 - THE COURTROOM BENEATH THE MILL
Beneath the cotton mill, agents also found a courtroom.
Judges had held secret guardianship hearings there.
Women were declared incompetent.
Children were transferred.
Medical rights were assigned.
Sheriff Cole had provided security.
Judge Thomas Hale had signed the orders.
Hale was arrested at his home.
He claimed Margaret threatened his family.
Bank records showed she paid him millions.
The conspiracy entered federal court.
Ryan’s attorney argued that he had been conditioned by Margaret since childhood.
The prosecution played the backyard footage.
Conditioning explained history.
It did not excuse the bucket, insects, rope, pit, or hidden transfer agreement.
Kevin and David accepted plea deals.
Laura agreed to testify.
Grace and Rachel prepared medical evidence.
I prepared to face Ryan.
At the preliminary hearing, he looked at my stomach before looking at my face.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry you were recorded.”
“No.”
“You laughed.”
His eyes closed.
“I thought fear was the only way anyone stayed.”
“That is what Margaret taught you.”
“Yes.”
“And what did you choose?”
He had no answer.
Then Margaret appeared on every courtroom monitor through a hacked feed.
She sat beside Lily, who was pale and connected to an infusion line.
“Emily,” she said, “the treatment expires tonight.”
Behind her stood several children.
All girls.
May you like
She had gathered the remaining subjects.
“If I fall, they fall with me.”
