“The report confirms that all three were manually disabled from the courthouse security office.”
Raymond's expression became serious.
“The system log identifies the user account.”
Briggs took a step backward.
Vanessa looked directly at him.
“Your account.”
“That’s impossible.”
“The cameras were turned off at 8:12 this morning.”
“I wasn't in the control room.”
“Your access card opened it at 8:09.”
“Someone used my card.”
“Then you should be eager to preserve the records.”
Briggs looked toward the elevators.
Two marshals quietly moved into his path.
“I want my union representative.”
“You are entitled to one,” Raymond said. “You are not entitled to leave with evidence.”
“I haven't been arrested.”
“No one said you were.”
“Then move.”
Vanessa's voice stopped him.
“Officer Briggs, remain where you are.”
He turned toward her.
“You don't command city police.”
“Inside my courtroom, I command everyone who appears before me.”
She took one step forward.
“And inside this courthouse, the marshals protect the integrity of federal judicial operations.”
Her eyes hardened.
“At this moment, you are involved in the suspected destruction of federal evidence.”
Briggs shook his head.
“That folder doesn't prove anything.”
Vanessa raised it slightly.
“You were willing to assault me to obtain it before you knew who I was.”
“I was removing a trespasser.”
“You never asked my name.”
“You could have identified yourself.”
“I did.”
“You didn't say judge.”
“The credential said it.”
Briggs pointed at her.
“You wanted this to happen.”
Raymond stepped forward.
“Lower your hand.”
Briggs obeyed.
Vanessa stared at him.
“That is the refuge of every person caught exercising power dishonestly.”
She paused.
“They blame the victim for failing to prevent the misconduct.”
Briggs's voice became bitter.
“You dressed like a civilian.”
“I am a civilian.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes,” Vanessa said.
“That is precisely the problem.”
The Captain Arrives
The elevator doors opened.
Captain Adrian Walsh stepped into the corridor with two city officers.
He was fifty-five, broad-shouldered, silver-haired, and wearing the gold insignia of command.
“What happened?” he demanded.
Briggs answered immediately.
“Unauthorized woman entered the judicial corridor. She resisted removal and created a confrontation.”
Walsh looked at Vanessa.
Recognition flashed across his face.
“Judge Cole.”
“Captain.”
His expression tightened.
“Officer Briggs, step away from her.”
“He already did,” Vanessa said.
Walsh turned toward Raymond.
“We can handle this through the department.”
Raymond's voice remained cold.
“The suspected misconduct occurred inside a federal courthouse.”
“Briggs is one of mine.”
“That is not a jurisdictional defense.”
Walsh approached Vanessa.
“Judge, I apologize for the confusion. I assure you Officer Briggs had no idea who you were.”
Vanessa opened the folder.
“Captain Walsh, would he have been permitted to shove me into a wall if I had been a court visitor?”
“Of course not.”
“Then my title is irrelevant to the illegality of his behavior.”