Chapter 5 - THE TABLES TURNThe courtroom erupted into a flurry of whispers and camera shutters.
Agent Marcus Vance—whom I had quietly brought in as an independent federal consultant—stood up from the back gallery and stepped forward, handing a federal affidavit to the judge.
"Your Honor, federal investigators have verified the digital integrity of these records," Agent Vance announced loudly. "Furthermore, financial audits confirm that Mr. Daniel Mercer transferred over four hundred thousand dollars of Mrs. Mercer's estate funds into offshore accounts within forty-eight hours of her passing."
Judge Sterling stared down at the documents, his face darkening with absolute fury.
He looked past the prosecutor, past my defense counsel, and locked his eyes directly onto my brother.
May you like
"Mr. Daniel Mercer," Judge Sterling said, his voice cold enough to freeze water. "Step forward."
Daniel stood frozen in the front row, his legs shaking violently. He looked around wildly like a trapped animal, realizing that his grand inheritance, his public sympathy, and his freedom had completely evaporated in less than five minutes.
