Chapter 2 - The Marshals at the Gate
The metallic clink of handcuffs against the leather utility belts of the federal marshals shattered the fragile calm. Julian didn’t turn around, but the hair on his arms stood on end. He could feel Eleanor Davenport’s trembling breath beside him, her perfume suddenly turning sickly sweet with panic. She was a woman who had bought senators, governors, and county judges for thirty years; she was entirely unprepared to face someone she couldn’t buy.
""Your Honor!"" Julian raised his hands, palms outward, attempting to summon the swagger that made him the most expensive defense lawyer in the state. ""This is an extraordinary procedural violation! If you have personal grievances regarding an alleged incident outside this chamber, you must recuse yourself immediately! It is a textbook conflict of interest!""
Clara picked up a sleek black pen, tapping it gently against the pristine pages of her docket. ""Conflict of interest, Mr. Sterling? This is an evidentiary hearing on pre-trial motions. However, the integrity of the judiciary takes precedence. Senior Deputy Marshal Miller, please step forward.""
The lead marshal marched down the center aisle, boots cadence-striking the hardwood floor. He stopped at the bar, nodding respectfully toward Clara. ""Your Honor, the individual detained in the stairwell has been processed. He identified himself as Marcus Gable. He was found in possession of your personal itinerary, three grand in unmarked cash, and a burner phone.""
Clara watched Julian’s pupils dilate. ""And whose number was the last outgoing call on that phone, Marshal?""
""Belongs to the Sterling & Associates law firm, private extension zero-four,"" the marshal answered without hesitation.
Eleanor slowly turned her head toward her attorney, her cold eyes flashing with vicious betrayal. ""You fool,"" she snarled under her breath, her voice barely a whisper yet sharp enough to sever bone. ""You left a trail?""
""Eleanor, shut up,"" Julian hissed back frantically.
Clara leaned back into the high-backed leather chair of the bench. The crimson droplet that had seeped from her split lip was dry now, a dark mark of defiance. ""Mr. Sterling, you are an officer of the court. Under normal circumstances, I would refer this to the disciplinary board. But since Marcus Gable also happens to be a co-conspirator listed under Exhibit B of the grand jury indictment...""
She paused, letting the silence stretch until Julian's chest rose and fell in ragged heaves.
""I am ordering your immediate detention as a material witness and co-defendant in the felony conspiracy charges,"" Clara declared calmly.
Julian grabbed the edge of the counsel table, his knuckles whitening. ""You can't do this! The Davenport hearing is scheduled today! My client has a right to representation!""
May you like
""Your client,"" Clara said, turning her merciless gaze to Eleanor, ""is about to join you.""
Cliffhanger: Clara opened the gray dossier to a sealed page marked with a scarlet ribbon, revealing a document Eleanor had spent twenty years burying.
