Chapter Twenty-Six
Caroline
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THE HEARING WAS SMALLER than I’d expected, but every bit as formal as I’d feared.
Not that Jackson didn’t deserve the procedure—he warranted that, and much more for all the harm he’d caused—but something about the austerity of the event stirred old anxieties.
It reminded me of all those times unqualified men had presided over me in the past and rained down judgments with inconceivable consequences.
Jackson was lucky by comparison. The worst that would happen to him if the ICC found him guilty was a lengthy imprisonment. There would be no beatings, no ritualized humiliation, and no sweeping plans for mass murder.
His fate would be far better than the verdicts he had presided over.
Bringing my attention back to my racing heart, I concentrated on slowing its pace with two deep breaths.
I’d been a lot calmer since Harper had returned from his mission to ensnare his former boss, tending to his wounds and enjoying the comfort and safety of the ICC’s hospitality.
With Jackson in custody, the wheels of the written plea deal Akari had given Harper were finally set into motion, and we knew, within weeks, our claims for asylum would be fast-tracked.
In further good news, the Dutch seemed to have accepted our request to seek asylum there, which would mean we could settle in the EU while Harper pursued his claim for French citizenship.
Beyond that, there wasn’t a plan, but for the first time in what seemed like forever, we had access to both money and time. More importantly than that, though, we were safe, and no bad actors were after us.
We’re going to be okay.
Better than okay, really, so I struggled to understand how the somberness of the pretrial courtroom could still have the power to unsettle me.
“Are you all right?” Harper’s hand slid over mine, and he leaned closer to speak.
Turning his way, I forced myself to smile. If he was beside me, of course I was all right. I had no choice but to be.
“I’m fine, Sir,” I mouthed, grateful for the warmth of his large hand.
I’d been so brazen and free-spirited in the suite, happy to take advantage of his arousal and enjoy my dedication to his pleasure, but the severity of the surroundings and my upcoming contribution to the hearing had brought out that old, familiar anxious facet of me.
The little girl who still sought his strength and support.
The one who wanted him to fix her problems.
“Yes, you are.” He murmured the praise into my ear, the heat of his breath tickling my sensitive skin. “Fucking fine.”
Blowing out a breath, I inched closer to where he was sitting.
I’d had the choice not to attend the hearing, yet for some crazy reason, I’d decided to not only show up, but also to give a victim-impact statement, believing it would be cathartic to look that fat prick in the eye while I told the court the way he’d treated women.
It will be, I assured myself. I’ll stare him in the face and tell the truth.
As though the prick in question had heard my thoughts, Jackson turned his head toward us, his gaze narrowing as it landed on me. He’d been led out a few moments before by two officers, who bookended him as he waited in the dock.
I shook my head at the sight of him, irritated that, even after facing multiple indictments of crimes against humanity, he still looked as pompous as ever.
Dressed in a dark blue suit for court, he’d been uncuffed for the proceedings, but I saw right through his fancy facade.
As far as I was concerned, Jackson was the worst kind of scum; a man with no obvious proficiency or purpose, whose only unrivaled skillset was his arrogant lack of self-awareness.
The sight of Akari, Meyer, and Laurent entering the hearing from a side door on the other side of the courtroom did little to reassure me as we all climbed to our feet.
I was going to have to get up in front of all of them and talk about Jackson, the things I’d witnessed, and how his disgusting behavior had affected me.
Why did I say I’d speak?
Reaching with my free hand to check my pre-written script was still in my pocket, I tried to swallow down my rising apprehension.
I could have just stayed at the hotel or even hidden behind Harper at the back of the hearing, but oh no, I’d opted for the spotlight, agreeing to give a voice to all those women stuck back at home who couldn’t speak to the effect Ian had shrouded on all our lives.
Because I have to, the goading voice in my head taunted. Because I have a voice while they still have none.
Jackson might have been arrested, but the BTP was still in charge in Britain, and that meant millions of women still suffered abuse, neglect, and subjugation.
I had no choice but to stand up for them. My soul would never rest until their prejudice had been dismantled.
“You’ll be fine.” Lowering to my height, Harper whispered the consoling words. “I promise you, he can’t hurt you. He has no power over you now.”
“I know.” I squeezed his hand harder, still trying to calm my hammering heart.
There was nothing Jackson could do to hurt me anymore, but standing up to face him was still a terrifying prospect.
I could hardly process Akari’s words as she opened the proceedings, my attention fixed only on the journey from my chair to the stand, and how I was going to make it without falling flat on my face.
I envisioned the walk in slow motion, seeing me putting one foot ahead of the other in my mind’s eye, until I found myself standing beside the three judges.
Glancing to where they were sitting, it was strange to see them in such a formal capacity again.
After spending so much time with them all, I’d started to view them more as colleagues than people with tangible power, but watching Akari’s body language, there was little doubt that she was in control of the court.
“Miss Craness.”
I started at the sound of my name, my body straightening as I acknowledged that it was Akari calling me.
“I believe you have a statement to read to the court today,” she went on. “Please, come forward.”
Taking a deep breath, I released Harper’s hand, barely able to respond to his soothing words as I stepped out into the aisle. I watched as the court official beckoned me forward, my pulse sprinting as I ignored the faces turning in my direction and walked toward him.
“Over here, please.” His accent washed over me as he guided me to the appropriate place to stand.
By the time I was in position, I was surprised Akari and all the others couldn’t hear the volume of my racing heart.
“Please read this declaration for the court.” The official thrust a piece of laminated paper in front of me and, fingers shaking, I lifted the card closer to read what was on it.
Come on, Caroline.
Pulling in a steadying breath, I willed myself to relax and just read.
“I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a witness of the International Criminal Court honorably, faithfully, impartially, and conscientiously, and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions, and the secrecy of deliberations.”
Resolve resounded in my voice by the final few words, my nerves a little easier to manage as I placed the card down on the lectern in front of me.
“Thank you.” The official managed a small smile before he darted away.
“Miss Craness.” It was Meyer speaking that time. “Can you confirm your full name for the court.”
I coughed to clear my voice before I answered. “I am Caroline Rebecca Craness.”
“Thank you,” Meyer replied. “Miss Craness, you have been invited here to read your impact statement and answer a few questions about your experiences. You may read when you are ready.”
I nodded in the direction of the judges, ensuring my gaze remained their way as I dug into my pocket to find my notes.
Pulling the paper free, I unfolded it before placing it on the waiting stand.
I’d spent most of the prior day penning the statement, drafting and redrafting it with Harper until it adequately reflected the way I felt.
It had been bizarre to write with him again, pausing to ask for his view on specific words and phrases before carrying on, but there were stark differences between my statement and the speeches I used to write.
Unlike the documents I’d produced for him at Fortorus, the court wanted to hear my story in my words, and unlike before, I would be the one to read those words.
I’d practiced doing so with him on more than one occasion, and my attention rose to find his gaze in the nearby gallery, our eyes meeting before I started to speak.
“Thank you for the invitation to share my experiences with the International Criminal Court. My life changed forever in October 2024 when men, acting under the orders of Ian Jackson, broke into my home and kidnapped me.” I hesitated, steeling myself to remember that dreadful day all over again.
“That was when I was first sent to Fortorus.”
“Please confirm for the court what Fortorus is,” Akari interrupted.
“It’s a concentration camp,” I replied, trying to ignore the gasps coming from the gallery. “A camp where more than thirty thousand women are being housed, ridiculed, and abused.”
“Run by the guy she’s now shacked up with!” Jackson snorted, slamming his palm down on the wooden ledge enclosing him.
I shot a glare in his direction, staggered that, even then, at that most pivotal moment, he insisted on hearing his own voice instead of mine.
“The defendant will remain quiet.” Akari leaned into her mic to admonish him. “For the record, the defendant Ian Jackson refers to Adam Harper, who has signed a plea deal with the court in return for his valuable cooperation.”
For one tense moment, Jackson glared Harper’s way, the two men silently brooding at one another while the judge continued.
“You’re a fucking traitor!” Jackson spat the insult at Harper. “I should have had you killed while I had the chance.”
“Silence!” Akari’s voice boomed through the speakers rigged in the four corners of the court. “Mr. Harper is not preparing for trial here, Mr. Jackson. But you are.”
She stared at the odious prick until he withered under her stare. “Please, Miss Craness, do go on.”
“Fortorus was Jackson’s idea.” I turned my full focus onto the idiot that time, refusing to cower under him any longer. “He wants as many women there as possible. He believes we’re all unworthy whores.”
Another rumble of shocked gasps reverberated from the other side of the court.
“If you don’t mind pausing your statement, please tell us what happened to you at Fortorus,” Meyer prompted.
“Terrible things.” I swallowed back the dismal recollections. “There were daily whippings, ritualized humiliation by a lot of the commanders.” I paused, thinking of Mitchell. “I suffered this myself for months, and there were regular rapes by the sentries. I narrowly avoided that fate as well.”
My focus flitted back to my handsome savior.
“There was also very little food and no medical provisions provided to the prisoners.” I shook my head. “Fortorus is seen as the jewel in Jackson’s disgusting crown.”
Meyer pressed her lips into a hard line. “Did you have anything to do with Mr. Jackson himself?”
“Yes.” My gaze floated by the bloated jerk who’d destroyed my country. “I was taken to his so-called palace in London once.”
“And what happened there?” Meyer pressed.
“I was stripped and made to kneel and serve the men there.” I gulped, aware that much of that service had been to Harper, who, thankfully, had protected me from too much exposure to Jackson that day.
“Did Mr. Jackson ever assault you?” Meyer looked up from her notes.
“Thankfully not,” I replied with a shudder.
“Were there other women there?” Meyer asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “There were others kept in cages out of the way. They were allowed out when Jackson wanted to use them for his personal titillation.”
“I thought this was an impact statement,” Jackson scoffed. “Not a witness for the prosecution!”
“The court is interested in hearing the things Miss Craness has experienced,” Akari answered.
“This is a kangaroo court!” Jackson roared, his face a satisfying red color. “You have no authority over me.”
“This is the final time I will ask for your silence, Mr. Jackson.” Akari’s voice had slowed to a more intentional pace. “The next time you speak out of turn, you will be escorted back into custody, and the evidence will be heard in your absence.”
Jackson huffed, but Akari urged me to go on.
“More women were called for while I was there,” I eventually replied.
“One of the girls told them they were taken from a local club, and the men helped themselves to whoever and whatever they wanted. They made us play sick games, which resulted in us crawling and being told to have sex with the men. The women had no choice but to accept the degrading treatment.”
Staring at Jackson, my voice trembled with anger as I repeated that most important point. “You never gave any of us a choice.”
Months of indignity and endless violations were funneled into that one succinct statement. Staring into his piggy eyes, I hoped he understood my intentions; that I wanted to see him rot in a cell for as long as the court would possibly allow.
“Please continue with your statement, Miss Craness.” Laurent’s voice stirred me from my fervor.
“I speak for all of the women still there.” I glanced back to the judges, my thoughts returning to Fern, Jean, and all of the other strong and amazing women I’d met at Fortorus.
I would never have survived a single day without their fortitude and moral support.
Wherever they were, whatever had happened to them, they deserved for me to speak up.
“For the ones who’ve been judged, stripped, kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered.
I speak for the ones who’ve been trampled underfoot, the ones who are still forced to denigrate themselves, and the ones who are gagged so they do not have a voice.
I have a voice, and I choose to use it today, on behalf of us all when I ask the court to find Mr. Jackson guilty at trial and allocate the most severe sentence possible. ”
The words flew from me, no longer scripted, nor prompted by the judge’s questions. They were from the heart.
“Jackson was not the only problem in Great Britain, but he was the head of the ugly beast who brutalized its people. Let’s take the head off that monster for all those who’ve suffered its ferocious indecency.”
The silence that followed was louder than any of the earlier shouted responses.
“Thank you, Miss Craness.”
It was Akari who spoke, but as I left the stand and was guided back to my seat, all I could hear was the thundering of my heart.