CHAPTER 25 THE JUDGE WHO NEVER LEFT
Rebecca traced the message to a courthouse server.
The server belonged to Judge Elias Vane.
Three judges had been removed because of the corruption investigation.
Vane was not one of them.
Official records claimed he had retired four years earlier and moved to Switzerland.
But Elena remembered his name from the hidden ledger.
ACTIVE.
Rebecca contacted the courthouse.
A clerk confirmed that a sealed emergency hearing had been scheduled for the following morning.
Case name:
In the Matter of Grace Samuel Mercer.
Petitioner:
Grant Whitmore.
Presiding judge:
Elias Vane.
“That is impossible,” Adrian said. “Vane has no authority.”
“He does if someone reinstated him under a temporary judicial order,” Rebecca replied.
“Who can do that?”
“The state chief justice.”
Elena remembered the contractors, mayors, prosecutors, and judges connected to Thomas’s network.
The network had been damaged.
It had not disappeared.
At nine the next morning, Elena entered the courthouse carrying Grace.
Adrian walked on her left.
Rebecca walked on her right.
The same staircase where Elena had fallen rose before them.
Grace looked toward the top.
“Mommy fall here?”
Elena held her closer.
“Yes.”
Grace touched Elena’s cheek.
“I catch you.”
Inside the courtroom, no press had been admitted.
No public observers were permitted.
Judge Elias Vane sat behind the bench.
He was nearly eighty, but his voice remained strong.
Grant appeared on a video screen from prison.
He smiled when he saw Grace.
Elena positioned herself between her daughter and the camera.
Vane opened a sealed file.
“This hearing concerns the legal identity and custody status of the minor child known as Grace Mercer Whitmore.”
“Known as?” Adrian repeated.
Vane ignored him.
Grant’s attorney stood.
“New evidence indicates that the child’s original hospital records were altered.”
Elena looked at Rebecca.
Rebecca had heard nothing about hospital records.
The attorney continued.
“A DNA sample taken under court authorization shows no biological relationship between Elena Mercer and the minor child.”
“That sample was stolen,” Elena said.
Vane struck his gavel.
“You will speak through counsel.”
“I gave birth to her.”
“The court is not deciding what you remember.”
Elena’s anger rose.
“It is deciding what you can prove.”
Grant leaned toward the screen.
“You should have sent me the photographs.”
Adrian stood.
“One more word to her and I will have this transmission terminated.”
Vane looked at Adrian.
“You no longer control this courtroom.”
“I know exactly who controls it.”
“Do you?”
The judge opened another document.
“Mr. Mercer, this court has received sworn testimony that you removed an infant from a hospital twenty-eight years ago and arranged a false identity.”
Adrian went still.
Elena turned toward him.
Vane continued.
“Until the Mercer Trust investigation is resolved, this court is ordering Grace placed into temporary protective custody.”
“No,” Elena said.
Two officers moved toward her.
Rebecca showed her federal badge.
“This hearing is compromised. No one touches the child.”
The rear courtroom door opened.
Captain Robert Hale walked inside.
Rebecca had not seen her father in six years.
May you like
He removed his hat.
“Rebecca,” he said calmly. “Move away from the girl.”
