Chapter 14 - Behind the Glass
Three weeks later, the concrete walls of the county detention facility felt colder than the winter air outside. Clara sat on one side of the scratched plexiglass partition, her simple grey wool coat buttoned to her chin.
The heavy steel door on the opposite side buzzed open, and Julian shuffled in.
He looked unrecognizable. The tailored Italian suits were gone, replaced by an oversized orange jumpsuit that hung loosely off his shoulders. His dark hair was messy, unwashed, and thinning at the crown. The arrogant, condescending smirk that had defined his face for thirty-five years had been replaced by hollow, sleepless eyes and sunken cheeks.
He sat down heavily, picking up the black plastic receiver with trembling fingers. Clara lifted hers.
“You came,” Julian said, his voice flat, devoid of its previous charm. “Harrison said you wouldn't.”
“I’m here to finalize the signature waivers, Julian,” Clara said, her voice completely even. “The divorce was finalized this morning on grounds of gross criminal fraud. You are no longer my husband.”
Julian let out a ragged, dry cough that sounded like a sob. “Clara, you have to talk to Hayes. You have to tell them that I didn't know about Eleanor's accounting tricks. They're trying to give me fifteen years in federal penitentiary! Clara, fifteen years! I won't survive in there. You know what they do to people like me!”
“People like you?” Clara asked, tilting her head. “You mean thieves? Embezzlers? Men who laugh in their wives’ faces while robbing their own families blind?”
“I loved you!” Julian slammed his palm against the glass, the loud thud echoing down the visitation room. An armed guard immediately took a threatening step forward, and Julian quickly dropped his hand, whimpering. “I loved you, Clara. I gave you everything.”
May you like
“You didn’t love me, Julian. You loved having a quiet spectator to your greatness,” Clara said softly. “You loved knowing you could break me down piece by piece and I would still pour your wine and smile for your mother.”
“What about the money?” Julian pleaded, leaning as close to the glass as the table allowed. “Harrison said the Zurich accounts were emptied. The offshore funds are gone. Clara... did you take it? Tell me you have it. If you have it, you can pay my bail. We can fight this!”
