Chapter Ten: How to have Your Heart Destroyed in Under Ten Seconds
Horatio sat in the gallery of the courtroom. He had refused to testify in the charges against her. He claimed it was a conflict of interest, since she was still technically his wife, but he had other reasons.
She stood before the Judge at the Defendant table, dressed in an outfit that the prison had to have supplied. He read off the jury's decision. She was guilty of every charge against her. There were so many, Horatio couldn't even keep track. He just knew she would be going to a federal prison for a very long time.
"Ms. Delko," the Judge said, using her maiden name, "I hope you now understand that what you've done was beyond criminal, it was immoral. Though you claim your victims were the real crooks, being members of the Mala Noche gang, they were still people. I hope that's what you think of every morning you wake up in your prison cell."
Marisol looked at him with her deep brown eyes.
"Yes your honor," she quietly said, "I will."
"Now, in the case of your current medical condition, I am willing to place you in the hospital ward of the Florida Women's Correctional Facility," the Judge continued on. "However, after your child is born you will be placed back in with the general public and your baby placed up for adoption."
"I understand, your honor," she nearly whispered.
"This court is adjourned."
The Judge banged his gavel against the desk before him. People quickly began scattering, vacating so the next trial could begin quickly.
Horatio sat there speechless. Had he really heard the Judge correctly?
Marisol was set in front of the plexiglass booth. She picked up the phone and stared at him with dry eyes.
"You came to visit me," she whispered into the receiver.
"Yeah, I did," Horatio responded. "I needed to ask you a question."
Marisol looked at him and then down at the table in front of her.
"Yes, I'm pregnant," she whispered. "Yes, you're the father."
Horatio sighed as he felt like a horse kicked him in the chest.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered.
"I didn't think you would want anything to do with me. You've made it very clear that you don't love me anymore."
"What were you going to do? Disappear again?"
"I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I didn't want to tell you but I knew I needed to."
"It would have been nice if you had said something before your trial began," Horatio said in a bitter tone. "Kind of a surprise to learn you're going to be a father from the federal court judge."
"I'm sorry, Horatio," she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
"Yeah, I've heard that line before," Horatio snidely said. He hung the received up and stood from his chair, walking away without even a glance back.