“Mr. Price, did you preserve the recording of the conversation at your apartment?”
“Yes.”
“Did you give it to anyone?”
“I gave a copy to Ms. Bennett.”
“Did she ask you to alter it?”
“No.”
“Did she ask you to remove anything?”
“No.”
“Did she promise you anything in exchange?”
“No.”
Victoria paused.
“Why did you come here today?”
Daniel looked toward the prosecutor.
Then toward Lawson.
Finally, he looked at the judge.
“Because I don't want someone else to go through what happened to me.”
Victoria nodded.
“No further questions.”
Cole stood slowly.
He looked at Daniel.
Then at the recording device.
Then at Victoria.
He had prepared for a routine hearing.
He had not prepared for a witness who could connect the missing evidence, the questionable payment, and the police department's internal reports.
But he still had one move.
And he was about to use it.
Chapter 9: The Order to Remove Her
Cole approached the bench.
“Your Honor, I respectfully request a brief recess.”
Judge Whitmore looked at him.
“Why?”
“I need to consult with the department.”
“About what?”
“The new evidence.”
Victoria closed her folder.
“That's fine with me.”
Cole glanced at her.
“You seem very comfortable.”
“I am.”
“You shouldn't be.”
Victoria's expression didn't change.
“Is that a warning?”
“It's an observation.”
Judge Whitmore raised her voice.
“Mr. Cole, this courtroom is not a place for personal exchanges.”
Cole stepped back.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
The judge ordered a fifteen-minute recess.
The courtroom began to empty.
Lawson approached Victoria.
“Come with me.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“I'm taking you downstairs.”
“Am I under arrest?”
“That's what I was told.”
“By whom?”
Lawson's jaw tightened.
“Don't start again.”
Victoria looked toward the judge's chambers.
“I believe the court has not released me.”
Lawson moved closer.
“Listen, I don't care what happens in there. I have an order.”
“Then show it to me.”
He leaned toward her.
“You really think you can keep playing this game?”
Victoria looked at him.
“I think you should stop making decisions without understanding the situation.”
Lawson grabbed her arm.
“Let's go.”
Marcus Reed, the veteran court security officer, stepped between them.
“Officer Lawson.”
Lawson looked irritated.
“What?”
“She's not leaving until the judge gives an order.”
“I have instructions.”
“Then take them to the judge.”
Lawson glared at him.
“You want to make this difficult?”
Marcus didn't move.
“No. I want you to follow procedure.”
Lawson stared at him.
Then he turned toward Victoria.
“You're not walking away from this.”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“I never planned to.”
Lawson released her arm.
He walked toward the corridor.
But before he reached the door, his radio crackled.
“Lawson, report to the main security office.”
He pressed the button.
“What's going on?”
A voice answered.
“Immediate instruction. Do not release the detainee's property. Secure her handbag and phone.”
Lawson stopped.
He looked toward Victoria.
Then toward Marcus.
“What did you do?” he muttered.
Victoria didn't answer.
But Marcus had heard the radio.
His expression changed.
He knew exactly what that instruction meant.
Someone outside the courtroom was trying to control the evidence.
And someone had just made a serious mistake.
Chapter 10: The Second Phone
During the recess, Victoria returned to her seat.
She opened her handbag.
The phone Lawson had searched earlier was still inside.
But it was not the only phone she had brought.
She removed a second device.
Marcus Reed approached quietly.
“Ms. Bennett.”
She looked up.
“Yes?”
“Do you know who gave that order over the radio?”
“Not yet.”
Marcus glanced toward the corridor.
“Someone is trying to get your property.”
“I noticed.”
“Your phone?”
“Possibly.”
“Why?”
Victoria placed the second phone on the table.
“Because they think it contains the original evidence.”
Marcus frowned.
“Does it?”
“No.”
“Then what's on it?”
Victoria looked at him.
“A recording of the person who ordered the arrest.”
Marcus froze.
“Who?”
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she opened the device.
A file appeared on the screen.
The date was three days earlier.
The recording was only four minutes long.
Marcus looked toward the door.
“Are you going to play that in court?”
“Not unless I have to.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want to give them an opportunity to explain themselves first.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You're giving them too much credit.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Perhaps.”
A moment later, Judge Whitmore returned.
The courtroom clerk announced that the hearing would resume.
Cole returned to his seat.
He looked different now.