"Stop, back away from Judge Brooks," the Chief commanded, his voice cracking with a mixture of raw panic and furious authority.
The khaki-clad officer physically recoiled. The color drained from his previously flushed face, leaving him pale and instantly diminished. He stumbled backward down the porch steps, his arms crossing defensively over his chest as the terrifying reality of his career-ending error crushed his arrogant facade.
Judge Brooks did not gloat, nor did she even look at the trembling officer who had just threatened her. Instead, she slowly turned her head, her pristine white silk shirt catching the sunlight one final time. She looked directly up at the small, black lens of the doorbell camera mounted beside her door. A slow, chillingly confident smirk touched the corners of her mouth. She held all the power, and more importantly, she held the irrefutable digital proof.