Chapter 4 - The War in the Courts
Two weeks later, the formal preliminary hearings for the State of Rhode Island v. Rachel Vance, Theresa Vance, and Marcus Montgomery began at the Washington County Superior Courthouse in South Kingstown.
The courthouse steps were packed with media crews, television cameras, and curious onlookers eager to witness the fall of one of Newport’s most ambitious social-climbing families.
I arrived in a sleek, navy blue Audi sedan—my new corporate vehicle provided by Montgomery Development Group. I wore a tailored cream-colored suit, my dark hair styled elegantly, carrying a leather portfolio holding my project management files.
Beside me walked Logan Montgomery and his lead criminal prosecutor, Victoria Vance—ironically no relation to my family, though far more lethal in a courtroom.
Theresa and Rachel were already sitting at the defense table inside Courtroom 3B.
Without their expensive spa days, high-end makeup, and designer clothes, both women looked completely withered. Theresa’s silver hair was messy, her eyes rimmed with red circles, while Rachel sat in a plain orange county jumpsuit, her hands handcuffed to a belly chain, staring blankly at the wooden table.
Their defense attorney, an overpriced criminal lawyer named Richard Hayes whom Theresa had remortgaged her Barrington home to afford, stood up as the judge entered the room.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Marcus Thorne," the bailiff bellowed.
Judge Thorne was a stern, gray-haired jurist known throughout the state for his zero-tolerance policy regarding corporate fraud and elder exploitation. He swept into the room, took his seat on the bench, and flipped open the thick case file.
"Item one on the docket," Judge Thorne began, his eyes scanning the gallery. "Arguments regarding bail modification and evidentiary motions for Defendants Rachel Vance and Theresa Vance."
Hayes, the defense lawyer, stepped forward immediately, clearing his throat.
"Your Honor," Hayes began smoothly. "My clients are life-long residents of Rhode Island with zero prior criminal history. The events at Rosewood Estate were the result of a bitter intra-family dispute fueled by jealousy and false allegations from the plaintiff, Valerie Vance. We request an immediate reduction of bail for Rachel Vance and a dismissal of charges against Theresa Vance."
Victoria Vance stood up from our side of the aisle, her voice echoing clearly through the courtroom.
"Your Honor, the prosecution submits into evidence sixty-four pages of bank forensic records, three sworn affidavits from notary experts confirming forgery, and the original unedited digital footage recorded on the night of November 14th."
Victoria slid a tablet across to the court clerk.
"Furthermore," Victoria continued, "the defense claims this is a 'family dispute.' We have documented evidence that Defendant Theresa Vance actively attempted to intimidate the key witness—her eight-year-old granddaughter, Chloe—via multiple harassing text messages sent to Valerie Vance’s personal number over the last fourteen days."
Judge Thorne’s brow furrowed into a terrifying line. He looked over his glasses at Theresa.
"Is this true, Mr. Hayes?" Judge Thorne asked, his voice dropping into a dangerous register. "Has your client been contacting a minor child who is a material witness in a state fraud prosecution?"
Hayes turned pale, frantically looking down at his notes. "Your Honor... my client was merely attempting to reach out as a grandmother to resolve family tensions—"
"Silence, Mr. Hayes," Judge Thorne cut him off sharply.
The judge looked directly at Theresa, his gaze cold enough to freeze water.
"Mrs. Vance, your actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the orders of this court and a disturbing willingness to exploit a child for your own legal benefit," Judge Thorne declared, striking his wooden desk with his palm. "Bail for Rachel Vance is denied. She will remain in custody at the Wyatt Detention Facility pending trial."
Rachel let out a muffled shriek, slumping forward onto the table.
"As for Theresa Vance," Judge Thorne continued, "an immediate Restraining Order is issued. You are barred from coming within 2,000 feet of Valerie Vance or Chloe Vance. If you attempt to contact them directly, through third parties, or via digital media, I will revoke your bail and place you in a cell beside your daughter."
Theresa gasped, clutching her pearls with trembling, spotted hands. She looked over her shoulder at me, her eyes filled with desperate, hysterical pleading.
"Valerie!" Theresa whimpered, her voice cracking as the court officers began escorting Rachel toward the holding cell. "Valerie, please! Talk to the judge! I’m your mother!"
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I stood beside Logan and Victoria, my hands folded neatly in front of me, my expression entirely calm.
"I have no mother," I said softly, my voice carrying just far enough for her to hear before the heavy wooden doors closed behind her.
