He didn't answer.
"Can you send someone?"
"Yes."
"Do not use courthouse channels."
"Understood."
"Do not contact anyone at my courthouse."
"Understood."
"How long?"
"Seven minutes."
The judge hung up.
Seven minutes.
He looked toward the courthouse.
Seven minutes was enough time for someone to realize he had escaped.
And they did.
At 2:03 p.m., every television station in the city received the same anonymous video.
It showed the judge leaving the courthouse through the side entrance.
It showed Officer Dawson.
It showed the marshal.
The video was edited.
The footage made it appear as though the judge was being escorted away from the courthouse under arrest.
The headline appeared within minutes:
CHIEF JUDGE REMOVED FROM COURTHOUSE AFTER ALTERCATION WITH POLICE OFFICER.
Reporters began calling.
Phones began ringing.
The courthouse spokesperson issued a statement.
The statement claimed the judge had been "temporarily removed from judicial duties pending review of a security incident."
The judge watched the broadcast on a television inside a nearby federal office.
He said nothing.
Emily looked at him.
"They're trying to destroy you."
"No."
She looked confused.
"Not yet."
The judge pointed at the screen.
"They're trying to make everyone believe I was removed."
"Why?"
"So no one asks why I left."
She understood.
"If they can make it look like you were suspended..."
"They can make everyone believe the courthouse investigation is over."
The judge nodded.
"Exactly."
The screen showed Officer Dawson's face.
The anchor described her as "the officer involved in the confrontation."
The judge watched silently.
Then the broadcast switched to the original footage.
The slap.
His reaction.
The camera.
The moment he said:
"You just did that on live television."
The judge looked at Dawson.
She was standing near the doorway.
Her expression was devastated.
"I'm sorry."
The judge turned toward her.
"Don't apologize again."
She looked up.
"Why?"
"Because you have something more useful."
"What?"
"The truth."
She nodded.
Then she stepped forward.
"I'll tell them everything."
The judge shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because we need evidence."
Dawson looked frustrated.
"They already have the video."
"Of the slap."
"Yes."
"Not of the people behind it."
She understood.
The judge looked at the clock.
2:18.
The independent security team would arrive soon.
Until then, they had one chance.
He turned to the marshal.
"Find Daniel Mercer."
"His brother?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he is the only person who has admitted he knows who is involved."
The marshal nodded.
"And David?"
The judge looked at the evidence documents.
"Find him too."
"Alive?"
The judge stared at him.
"Yes."
Then he added:
"And find Richard Cole."
The marshal looked at him.
"What if he refuses?"
The judge's expression hardened.
"Then we'll stop asking politely."
At 2:31 p.m., the independent security team arrived.
They were not courthouse officers.
They were federal judicial protection agents from another district.
Their leader was a woman named Elena Ruiz.
She entered the room without a badge visible.
The judge recognized her.
"Judge."
"Agent Ruiz."
She nodded.
"Are you injured?"
"No."
"Threat level?"
"Unknown."
"Do you know who is behind this?"
"Not yet."
She looked at the people around him.
"Who is this?"
"Officer Dawson."
Ruiz looked at her.
"The officer from the video?"
"Yes."
Dawson lowered her eyes.
Ruiz looked at the judge.
"Can she be trusted?"
The judge paused.
"She can be watched."
Ruiz nodded.
"Fair."
The judge handed her the encrypted drive.
"Protect this."
She looked at it.
"What is it?"
"Evidence."
"From where?"
"The Calder case."
Ruiz's expression changed.
"Understood."
The judge looked at her.
"Agent, I need something from you."
"What?"
"I need you to investigate everyone without telling anyone inside the courthouse."
Ruiz nodded.
"That's difficult."
"That's why I'm asking you."
She took the drive.
Then she asked:
"Who should I start with?"
The judge answered immediately.
"David Mercer."
She nodded.
"Anyone else?"
"Richard Cole."
She stopped.
"Deputy Attorney General Cole?"
"Yes."
Ruiz studied his face.
"That's a serious accusation."
"I know."
"Do you have evidence?"
"Not yet."
She looked at him.
"But you suspect him."
"Yes."
Ruiz nodded.
"Then I'll start there."
The judge looked at Dawson.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"Back to the courthouse."
Her eyes widened.
"Sir, that's dangerous."
"Yes."
"Then why go?"
"Because someone inside that building believes they control it."
He looked toward the window.
"I want them to see me walk back in."
Dawson understood.
"You want to draw them out."
The judge nodded.
"They've spent all day believing they know my next move."
He looked at her.
"Let's give them one they don't expect."
At 2:46 p.m., the courthouse doors opened.
Reporters turned.
Cameras lifted.
People began shouting questions.
"Judge!"
"Are you being suspended?"
"Did you assault the officer?"
"Is the courthouse under investigation?"
The judge walked up the steps.
Calm.
Silent.
Behind him were Agent Ruiz, Officer Dawson, and the marshal.
The television cameras captured everything.
Dawson stopped halfway up the steps.
The same steps where she had slapped him that morning.
The judge turned toward her.
"Officer."
She looked at him.