Chương 3
She looked at him. “You changed the information I used to make it.”
His jaw trembled once.
Judge Ward lowered her eyes to the report again. “The annex includes an analysis of the electronic signature record. It states that the certification attached to General Vance’s waiver was modified nine hours after the attack.”
Cole put a hand flat on the table.
Nora whispered, “Oh my God.”
Julian turned toward her. “You don’t understand the system.”
“I signed Greyhaven transfers.”
“You signed what the finance team prepared.”
“You were the finance team.”
“I was protecting the company.”
“From what?”
“From people who would destroy it over one incident.”
The words stayed in the room.
Iris saw Cole stop taking notes.
Julian saw it too.
“One incident,” Nora repeated.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Six people died.”
“You don’t know what happened.”
“I know what you told me didn’t happen.”
Judge Ward raised one hand. “Enough. This court will not conduct an unstructured interrogation.”
Nora’s mouth closed, but her breathing remained quick.
The judge addressed Marcus. “Your client is the defendant in a civil action alleging tortious interference, breach of a marital confidentiality agreement, and misappropriation of corporate assets. How does the government report bear on the disputed transfers?”
Marcus opened a binder. “The transfers identified in Mr. Vance’s complaint were not initiated by General Vance. They were moved from Vance Meridian reserve accounts into Greyhaven Systems under Mr. Vance’s authorization and later reclassified as losses attributed to General Vance’s alleged interference.”
“That’s false,” Julian said.
Marcus continued as if he had not spoken. “The report’s financial appendix matches the amounts and dates in the plaintiff’s own exhibits. Mr. Vance sued General Vance for funds that the federal investigation concludes he diverted himself.”
Judge Ward studied him. “And the confidentiality agreement?”
“The government has authorized General Vance to disclose facts necessary to defend herself. We also contend the agreement cannot be enforced to conceal fraud or obstruct a federal investigation.”
Cole spoke carefully. “The existence of an investigation is not a conviction. The report contains conclusions we have had no opportunity to test.”
“That is correct,” Judge Ward said. “And this court will not treat it as a conviction. It may, however, treat authenticated evidence as evidence.”
She closed the folder.
Julian flinched at the sound.
“The court is in recess for ninety minutes. During that time, Mr. Cole will consult with his client. Ms. Bell may consult independent counsel. Mr. Hale will coordinate with Ms. Reyes regarding secure access to the underlying exhibits. No one will leave the courthouse without permission.”
Cole stood. “Your Honor, on what basis are the parties being detained?”
“You are not detained, counsel. You may leave. Your client, however, is subject to an existing order prohibiting the destruction or removal of evidence. Given what I have just reviewed and his reaction to it, I am directing him to remain available while the court considers an emergency preservation order.”
Julian’s eyes sharpened. “You think I’m going to run?”
Judge Ward regarded him over the rim of her glasses. “I think you shouted at a federal judge not to open a lawfully submitted evidence file. My imagination requires very little assistance from there.”
The court reporter looked down, but Iris saw the corner of her mouth tighten.
The judge rose. Everyone stood except Nora, who remained seated until Cole whispered her name.
Outside the closed courtroom, the hallway had become a crowded channel of cameras, phones, and whispered speculation. The protective order prevented reporters from describing the sealed material, but it did not prevent them from describing Julian’s shout, Iris’s uniform, or the scars visible beneath her collar.
The doors opened, and questions flew.
“General Vance, did your husband conceal evidence?”
“Mr. Vance, why did you try to stop the judge?”
“Ms. Bell, what is Greyhaven Systems?”
Nora froze at the sound of the name.
Julian caught her arm. She tore it free.
“Do not touch me.”
Camera shutters rattled.
Cole moved between them. “No statements.”
Marcus guided Iris toward a private conference room, not by touching her but by walking half a step ahead and clearing a path. Her coat remained over his arm. He had picked it up before leaving the courtroom.
A reporter called, “General, why did you hide your rank from the jury pool and the press?”
Iris stopped.
Marcus said her name quietly.
She turned toward the reporter. He was young, perhaps twenty-five, with a courthouse credential clipped crookedly to his jacket. The question was aggressive, but his face showed no satisfaction in asking it.
“I did not hide my rank from the court,” she said. “I wore the coat because I did not want my uniform to answer questions that I was not legally allowed to answer myself.”
“Did Mr. Vance know about your injuries?”
The hallway shifted.
Julian stood ten feet away with Cole. Nora had moved farther down the wall, both arms folded across herself.
Iris looked at Julian.
“Yes,” she said.
Then she entered the conference room.
Marcus shut the door behind them. The room contained a long table, six mismatched chairs, a dead wall clock, and a coffeemaker with a handwritten sign warning that it leaked. Iris stood for several seconds without moving.
Marcus set the gray coat across a chair.
“You should sit down.”
“I’ve been sitting for three days.”
“That wasn’t a medical recommendation.”
“I’m not asking for one.”
He opened his briefcase and took out a bottle of water. She twisted the cap but did not drink.
Through the wall came the muffled swell of voices in the hallway.
Marcus sat across from her. “The clip is already online.”
“Which one?”
“Julian shouting. You taking off the coat. They’re calling it a reveal.”
She closed her eyes for a second. “Of course they are.”
“It will get worse before it becomes more accurate.”
“Does it become accurate?”
“Occasionally. By accident.”
May you like
She almost smiled. It passed before either of them had to acknowledge it.
Marcus opened his legal pad. “Ward is going to freeze the disputed accounts. She may suspend the trial while the federal referral is reviewed. Cole will challenge authentication, scope, relevance, and the release authority. He should. That is his job.”
