"He changed his mind."
The judge remembered Daniel's words.
I realized you were the first person in years who might actually look at the evidence.
"Where is Daniel now?"
Mercer looked down.
"I don't know."
"That's not good enough."
"I lost contact with him."
"When?"
"Ten minutes ago."
The marshal stepped forward.
"Then why should we trust you?"
Mercer looked at him.
"You shouldn't."
The answer surprised everyone.
Mercer continued.
"You shouldn't trust me. You shouldn't trust Harris. You shouldn't trust Dawson. And you definitely shouldn't trust Cole."
The judge stared at him.
"Who should I trust?"
Mercer shook his head.
"I don't know."
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then the courthouse intercom came alive.
A woman's voice echoed through the hallway.
"Attention all personnel. Due to a security emergency, the courthouse is under temporary lockdown."
Emily looked at the judge.
"That's not normal."
"No."
The intercom continued.
"All personnel are instructed to remain in their current locations."
The judge looked at Mercer.
"Who activated the lockdown?"
Mercer swallowed.
"Davidson."
"Who is Davidson?"
"The deputy security director."
The judge stared.
"Who works for him?"
Mercer didn't answer.
The judge already knew.
"Everyone."
Mercer nodded.
The judge looked toward the emergency exit.
"How long does the lockdown last?"
"Usually ten minutes."
"Usually?"
"Until security verifies the threat."
The judge looked at the clock.
1:53.
Seven minutes before the scheduled meeting with Cole.
He looked at Emily.
"Where is Dawson?"
"I don't know."
The marshal checked his radio.
Nothing.
Then the radio suddenly crackled.
A voice came through.
"Marshal?"
He pressed the button.
"Go ahead."
"North stairwell is clear."
"Who is this?"
Silence.
The voice returned.
"Don't use the stairs."
The marshal frowned.
"Identify yourself."
No response.
The judge looked at Mercer.
Mercer was staring at the radio.
"You know that voice?"
Mercer shook his head.
"No."
The judge walked toward the window.
Across the street, the black sedan was gone.
But another vehicle had appeared.
A white van.
Parked beside the courthouse.
The judge watched it.
The rear doors opened.
Two men stepped out.
Both were wearing security uniforms.
The judge narrowed his eyes.
Something was wrong.
He turned toward the marshal.
"How many security personnel are assigned to the north entrance today?"
"Twelve."
"How many are authorized to wear that uniform?"
"All twelve."
"Then why are there fourteen?"
The marshal froze.
He looked through the window.
The two men disappeared into the side entrance.
The judge turned to Mercer.
"How do we get out?"
Mercer answered immediately.
"Underground service tunnel."
"Where?"
"Basement."
"Is it secure?"
"No."
"Then why use it?"
"Because nobody watches it."
The judge nodded.
"Let's go."
They moved through the corridor.
The courthouse seemed strangely empty.
Doors were closed.
Lights were dim.
The judge could hear distant footsteps.
Then they reached the stairwell.
Mercer stopped.
"Wait."
"What?"
He pointed downward.
A red light was blinking near the basement entrance.
"Motion sensor."
"Someone is down there."
The marshal raised his weapon.
The judge looked at him.
"Don't."
The marshal lowered it slightly.
The judge stepped back.
"We don't know who is there."
Then a voice came from below.
"Judge?"
The judge recognized it.
Officer Dawson.
He descended two steps.
"Dawson?"
"Yes."
"Are you alone?"
There was a pause.
"Yes."
The judge looked at Mercer.
Mercer shook his head.
The judge descended another step.
Dawson appeared at the bottom.
Her uniform was disordered.
Her face was pale.
She was holding her radio.
"Your Honor."
"What happened?"
She looked behind her.
"Harris is gone."
The judge stopped.
"Where?"
"I don't know."
"Why are you here?"
"Because someone tried to take me into custody."
The marshal frowned.
"Who?"
"I don't know."
Dawson looked at the judge.
"Three officers."
"Did you know them?"
"No."
"Then how did you know they weren't legitimate?"
"They didn't know my badge number."
The judge nodded.
That was enough.
Dawson continued.
"They said I was being suspended."
"Who authorized it?"
"They showed me a document."
"What document?"
"A digital order."
"Was it signed?"
"Yes."
"By whom?"
She hesitated.
"Chief Marshal."
The marshal looked at her.
"I didn't sign anything."
Dawson nodded.
"I knew it was fake."
The judge studied her.
"What happened then?"
"I ran."
He looked at her for a long moment.
"You ran from your own colleagues."
"They weren't my colleagues."
The judge nodded.
"Good."
Dawson looked surprised.
"Good?"
"You finally verified before obeying."
Her eyes lowered.
"I learned the hard way."
The judge didn't respond.
She looked at him.
"Your Honor, I need to tell you something."
"What?"
"I know why they chose me."
The judge waited.
Dawson took a breath.
"Because I had already been recorded assaulting you."
The judge understood.
"If something happened to me later, they could say I was unstable."
"Or responsible."
"Yes."
"Or that you were trying to cover your mistake."
She nodded.
"They wanted me to look guilty."
The judge stared at her.
"You weren't just a distraction."
"No."
"You were a disposable witness."
Dawson looked down.
The judge's voice softened.
"Then stay close."
She looked up.