Chapter 5 - The Trap in Open Court
When court reconvened at 2:00 PM, the courtroom resembled a fortress. Armed federal marshals stood at every exit.
Marcus Sterling, CEO of Victory Capital, was seated at the back of the gallery surrounded by four high-priced corporate defense attorneys. Andrew Vale sat alone at the prosecution table, abandoned by his staff, looking like a man awaiting the guillotine.
Judge Harrison took the bench. His demeanor had changed completely. The cold, distant judge was gone; in his place was a man burning with righteous fury.
“The court is resuming the record,” Harrison declared. “Before ruling on defense’s motion for total exoneration, the court calls Marcus Sterling to the stand under judicial subpoena.”
Sterling’s corporate lawyers immediately leaped up. “Objection, Your Honor! Mr. Sterling is a non-party witness and has not been formally charged! This is a violation of due process!”
“Overruled!” Harrison shouted, his voice thundering through the room. “This court has jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to evidence fraud committed in this proceeding. Step forward, Mr. Sterling, or I will hold you in contempt and have you remanded to federal custody immediately.”
Sweating under his expensive Italian collar, Marcus Sterling reluctantly walked down the center aisle, taking the witness stand. He swore the oath, his eyes darting nervously toward the exits.
Nora Lane stepped forward. She didn't hold a legal brief; she held Isabelle’s mother’s diary and a thick stack of bank records provided by the FBI.
“Mr. Sterling,” Nora began calmly. “Did you order the remote access installation on Desk 4B to frame Lucas Albright?”
“I invoke my Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination,” Sterling said coldly.
“Very well,” Nora said. “Did Victory Capital authorize a $2 million wire transfer to pay off hitmen and digital forensics hackers to cover up the murder of Dr. Sarah Albright seven years ago?”
“Fifth Amendment.”
“Did you pay off Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Vale $1.5 million in offshore accounts to ensure Lucas Albright was convicted and silenced in prison?”
“Fifth Amendment!” Sterling sneered. “Ask all the questions you want, Counselor. I don't have to say a word.”
Nora smiled faintly. “You don't have to, Mr. Sterling. Because five minutes ago, federal agents raided Victory Capital’s headquarters in downtown Chicago with a warrant signed by Judge Harrison.”
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Sterling’s smug expression instantly shattered.
“They found your secondary server room,” Nora continued, her voice rising with power. “They found the original unencrypted files for The Lazarus Protocol. And they found the transaction ledger showing your personal signature authorizing the hit on Dr. Sarah Albright and Prosecutor Daniel Harrison seven years ago!”
