Victor said nothing.
“Mr. Hale?”
“I may have accessed the system.”
“Why?”
“I was reviewing evidence.”
“At two in the morning?”
Victor swallowed.
“There were scheduling issues.”
Judge Wren looked at him.
“And the modification?”
Victor did not answer.
That silence became the most important testimony of the morning.
Rebecca discovered the final piece by accident.
The courthouse elevator had its own security camera.
It had captured Marcus Vane and Victor Hale together at 1:58 a.m. on April 19.
They entered the elevator.
Marcus carried a laptop.
Victor carried a folder.
They exited on the administrative floor.
Thirty-seven minutes later, they returned.
Victor was holding the same folder.
Marcus was carrying nothing.
Rebecca watched the footage three times.
Then she noticed something.
Victor stopped at the elevator before leaving.
He looked directly toward the camera.
For three seconds.
Then he smiled.
Rebecca froze the image.
“He knew.”
Mara looked at the screen.
“Knew what?”
“That the camera was there.”
“Then why look at it?”
Rebecca answered quietly.
“Because he thought nobody would ever see this recording.”
Marcus Vane finally spoke.
He requested immunity from prosecution.
The investigators agreed to hear his statement.
Marcus admitted he had altered the evidence.
But he insisted he had not created the original falsehood.
Victor had ordered him to do it.
The reason was simple.
The prosecution had built its case around a timeline that was falling apart.
Daniel Price had not entered the restricted office when prosecutors claimed.
Someone else had.
Victor needed the video to support a different timeline.
Marcus had changed the file.
He had removed four minutes.
He had replaced the original sequence.
And he had used the administrative system to make the alteration appear legitimate.
But Marcus made one mistake.
He assumed nobody would examine the backup.
Lydia had.
That mistake destroyed everything.
Judge Wren called a special hearing.
Victor stood before the bench.
Marcus testified remotely.
The original surveillance footage played on the screen.
Then the altered version.
The difference was unmistakable.
Judge Wren looked at Victor.
“Why?”
Victor remained silent.
“Why did you alter evidence?”
He finally answered.
“Because I believed the defendant was guilty.”
The courtroom became silent.
Judge Wren's voice was cold.
“Believing someone is guilty does not authorize you to manufacture evidence.”
Victor lowered his head.
Mara watched without satisfaction.
She had wanted the truth.
Not revenge.
There was a difference.
Travis Cole was also questioned.
The judge asked about Mara's removal from the courtroom.
“Did Ms. Ellison resist?”
“No.”
“Did she threaten anyone?”
“No.”
“Did she become violent?”
“No.”
“Then why did you pull her arm?”
Travis looked uncomfortable.
“I was following procedure.”
Mara looked at him.
Judge Wren continued.
“Procedure does not excuse unnecessary force.”
Travis nodded.
“I understand.”
Mara spoke.
“Your Honor.”
Judge Wren looked at her.
“I don't want Officer Cole punished for arresting me.”