Chapter 107 Chapter 107: Empty Seat

Chapter 107 Chapter 107: Empty Seat

MARTHA’S POV

I stood in the bedroom doorway and watched Garrison pull his tie tight for the third time. He had been awake when I opened my eyes. The bedsheets on his side were still smooth.

“You did not sleep,” I said.

He looked at me through the mirror. “Could not turn my mind off.”

I walked over and fixed the knot myself. “It is not judgment day yet. This is the preliminary hearing. Charges get read, dates get set. That is all.”

He let out a short breath and nodded once. “It still feels bigger.”

I stepped back and picked up my jacket from the chair. He watched me put it on and then crossed the room to help with the sleeves.

“Are you sure about coming?” he asked.

“I am coming,” I replied. “This concerns me as much as it concerns you.”

We walked downstairs together. Rachel already had coffee poured and toast on plates. Garrison barely touched his. He kept checking his phone and the time.

“Eat something,” I told him.

He took one bite of toast and set it down. “I’m not really hungry.”

Garrison opened the front door and waited for me to walk out first. He locked it behind us and opened the car door for me. Once he started the engine he glanced over. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I am fine,” I replied.

He drove two blocks and asked again. “Are you ready for this?”

“I can stand in that courtroom. Can you please stop asking me this question over and over again.”

He nodded and kept his eyes on the road. At the next light he looked over once more.

“Are your feet still swollen? Need me to slow down?”

“Garrison. I am fine.”

We reached the courthouse parking lot. He found a spot near the entrance and turned the engine off. His hands stayed on the wheel for a few extra seconds.

“Last chance to wait in the car,” he said.

I opened my door. “I am going in with you.”

We walked up the steps side by side. Elias met us just inside the main doors and handed Garrison a folder.

“Everything is ready,” Elias said. “Impact statement is in there. We will sit on the right.”

We followed him into the courtroom and took seats in the front row. The judge’s bench sat empty. The defense table stayed empty too. Garrison kept glancing at the side door where the deputies usually brought prisoners in.

Minutes passed. People shifted in their seats. The court clerk checked her watch and whispered to a bailiff.

Garrison leaned toward Elias. “Where is he?”

Elias shook his head. “No word yet.”

More time went by. The judge finally entered and everyone stood. She sat and looked over the empty defense table.

“Counsel for the defendant?”

A man in a gray suit stood from the back. “Daniel Crowe for Henry Vanderbilt, Your Honor.”

The judge frowned. “Where is your client?”

Crowe cleared his throat. “There has been a medical situation, Your Honor. Mr. Vanderbilt is currently receiving treatment and cannot appear today.”

A police officer in uniform stood next to him. “We can confirm he was removed from the holding facility early this morning for medical reasons.”

The judge’s voice sharpened. “What medical reasons? Why was this court not notified in advance?”

Crowe spoke again. “It developed suddenly. We only received word shortly before the hearing.”

The courtroom filled with low voices. Someone in the back row said the word “convenient” loud enough to carry. Garrison stood up.

“This is the same man who sent people after my wife

days ago,” he said, his voice stayed controlled but loud enough for the judge to hear. “Now he cannot walk into a courtroom?”

The judge raised a hand. “Sit down, Mr. Donovan. Mr. Crowe, this court requires more than a vague statement. Provide documentation or produce your client.”

Crowe shuffled papers. “We request a short recess to obtain the medical report.”

The judge looked at the clock. “Thirty minutes. If your client is not here or the paperwork is not satisfactory, there will be consequences.”

People stood and moved into the hallway. Garrison walked straight to Elias.

“What is going on?”

Elias kept his voice low. “The police cannot fully vouch for his location right now. Something is off.”

We waited near the wall. Garrison paced three steps one way and three steps back. I stayed beside him.

The thirty minutes ended. Everyone returned to their seats. The judge entered again.

Crowe stood. “Your Honor, I have been informed that Mr. Vanderbilt was stabbed while in custody. He is currently in medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital.”

The room erupted. Voices rose on every side. The judge slammed her gavel once.

“Order. Mr. Crowe, that is a serious claim. Why was this court not informed immediately? Why is the location undisclosed?”

The police officer spoke. “Protocol for inmate safety, Your Honor. The injury occurred overnight. He was transferred under secure conditions.”

Garrison’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He turned to Elias. “I want the hospital name now.”

Elias shook his head. “They will not release it.”

Garrison stepped into the aisle. “I am his son. I have a right to know where he is.”

A bailiff moved closer. Crowe held up a hand. “Family access is restricted until medical clearance is given.”

Garrison’s voice rose. “Restricted? He tried to kill me and took my wife and now I cannot even confirm he is breathing?”m

The judge pointed the gavel at him. “Mr. Donovan, one more outburst and you will be removed.”

Garrison pulled in a breath and sat back down hard. I put my hand on his arm. He covered it with his own but his grip stayed tight.

The judge spoke again. “This hearing is adjourned until proper documentation and the defendant’s status are confirmed. Counsel will provide a full medical report by end of day or face sanctions.”

People stood and filed out. Garrison walked straight to Crowe in the hallway.

“Name of the hospital.”

Crowe shook his head. “I cannot release that.”

Garrison stepped closer. Two bailiffs moved in. Elias put a hand on Garrison’s shoulder.

“Garrison. Not here.”

Garrison’s jaw worked. He looked at the nearest officer. “I want to see my father. Tell me where he is.”

The officer hesitated. “I do not have authorization.”

Garrison’s voice went low and hard. “Then find someone who does. Or I will stand here until someone does.”

The officer exchanged a look with his partner and stepped aside to make a call. After a short conversation he returned.

“St. Mary’s Memorial. Secure wing. But visitation is locked down.”

Garrison turned to me. “We are going.”

We walked out of the courthouse and to the car. Elias followed and got into the back seat. Garrison drove fast but steady. No one spoke until we pulled into the hospital parking lot.

Inside the main lobby a security desk blocked the elevators to the secure wing. Violet stood near the desk with her arms crossed.

Garrison walked straight up to her. “I am going up.”

Violet shook her head. “No. He does not want to see you. Hospital policy supports the patient’s request.”

“He is my father and he is facing charges for what he did to my wife and to me. Move.”

Violet stayed in place. “You do not get to force your way in. Security will remove you.”

Garrison’s voice rose. “You arranged this. The stabbing story. The locked wing. You are keeping him from court and from me.”

Two hospital security officers stepped closer. Violet did not move.

“You will not see him today,” she said.

Garrison took one more step forward. The officers blocked his path. He stopped and stared at Violet.

“This is not over.”