Chapter 29 - The Trial of Evelyn Voss
Evelyn defended herself.
No attorney wanted her to.
She insisted.
For three weeks she transformed the courtroom into a lecture about necessary lies.
She described dictators removed because of evidence she altered.
Children protected because she erased their names.
Wars prevented by records she redirected.
Some of it was true.
That was what made her dangerous.
"History is edited every day," Evelyn told the jury. "I merely refused to pretend otherwise."
The prosecutor called Emily last.
Evelyn smiled when she took the stand.
"Mrs. Vale—"
"Ms. Vale."
"Of course."
Evelyn approached.
"Did alterations I made ever save lives?"
"Yes."
"Did Margaret Vale conceal evidence?"
"Yes."
"Did Abraham Shepherd conduct illegal operations?"
"Yes."
"Did Brandon Vale tell the truth only after committing serious crimes?"
"Yes."
Evelyn turned toward the jury.
"So everyone edited morality to survive."
Emily leaned toward the microphone.
"No."
Evelyn stopped.
"We made choices. Some were good. Some were terrible. The difference is that the rest of us eventually allowed those choices to be judged."
Emily looked directly at her.
"You built a system where only you were allowed to judge yourself."
The courtroom became silent.
The Anniversary Chain provided the rest.
Nine hundred and twelve alterations.
People saved.
People sacrificed.
Evidence fabricated.
Investigations redirected.
The jury deliberated eleven hours.
Guilty.
Conspiracy.
Evidence tampering.
Kidnapping.
Obstruction.
Cybercrime.
Accessory to multiple violent offenses.
Evelyn showed no emotion when the verdict was read.
As marshals approached, she looked at Emily.
"Someone will eventually become what I was."
Emily answered quietly.
May you like
"Then we build a system that doesn't depend on someone being good forever."
For the first time, Evelyn had no reply.
