His body camera blinked green.
Mercer looked Malcolm up and down.
Then he laughed.
“Take that costume off and move.”
Malcolm stared at him.
Mercer folded his arms.
“You heard me.”
Malcolm didn't move.
“You're blocking the hallway.”
Mercer stepped closer.
“I'm telling you to get out of the restricted area.”
“This is the third floor of the courthouse.”
“I know where we are.”
“Apparently not.”
Mercer's eyes narrowed.
“What did you say?”
Malcolm glanced briefly at the badge clipped to Mercer's chest.
“Officer Mercer.”
Mercer stiffened.
“How do you know my name?”
“Your badge.”
“Oh.”
Mercer smiled.
“Smart mouth.”
He stepped closer until they were less than a foot apart.
“You people always think a title makes you special.”
Malcolm's expression didn't change.
“A title doesn't make anyone special.”
“Then take the robe off.”
“No.”
Mercer's smile vanished.
“I don't think you understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You're trespassing.”
“I work here.”
Mercer laughed.
“No, you don't.”
Malcolm looked directly into the blinking camera.
“Touch me,” he said calmly, “and you'll explain in open court why you arrested the judge assigned to your department's trial.”
The hallway went still.
Mercer stared at him.
Then he laughed.
A harsh, confident sound.
“You're a judge?”
“Yes.”
“What's your name?”
“Malcolm Hayes.”
Mercer's expression changed.
But only for a second.
Then he smiled again.
“Nice try.”
Malcolm said nothing.
Mercer stepped closer.
“You think that robe frightens me, kid?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“I don't expect it to.”
Mercer's jaw tightened.
“I can bury you before lunch.”
Malcolm's voice remained quiet.
“Then cuff me now.”
Mercer stared.
“Watch your badge die with the case.”
That sentence landed heavily.
A court clerk carrying two armfuls of files froze near the records office.
A deputy beside the elevator turned.
Then Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Rebecca Sloan emerged from a consultation room.
She saw Mercer.
She saw Malcolm.
And she immediately understood what was happening.
“Officer Mercer!”
Mercer turned.
Rebecca walked toward them quickly.
“Step away from the judge.”
Mercer looked at her.
“The judge?”
Rebecca stopped.
“Yes.”
Mercer's face went pale.
Malcolm adjusted his robe.
Rebecca turned toward him.
“Judge Hayes, are you all right?”
“Yes.”
Mercer looked between them.
“You're really the judge?”
Malcolm nodded.
Mercer swallowed.
For the first time that morning, the confidence disappeared from his face.
Rebecca glanced at the body camera.
“Is your camera recording?”
Mercer looked down.
The green light blinked.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She turned toward Malcolm.
“Your Honor, court begins in forty-eight minutes.”
“I know.”
Rebecca looked at Mercer.
“Then I suggest everyone remembers what happens next.”
Mercer stepped backward.
He said nothing.
Malcolm walked past him.
The heavy black robe moved across the polished floor.
His footsteps echoed.
Behind him, Rebecca followed.
Neither looked back.
But Malcolm knew one thing.
That confrontation had not been an accident.
And it would not be the last attempt to intimidate him.