Chapter 9 - The Judge
Judge Samuel Harlan had retired twelve years earlier with awards, newspaper profiles, and a reputation for protecting children.
Maya wanted to tear every article off the internet.
The ledger suggested Harlan had received payments through a consulting company owned by his brother. Dates matched custody hearings, sealed orders, and the disappearance of evidence from her mother's crash investigation.
"We go federal," Daniel said.
"Not yet."
Ben stared at her. "Why not?"
"Because once we move, Victor moves too. I need copies in places he can't reach."
They created encrypted backups and sent them to three attorneys in different states.
Then Maya drove to Harlan's suburban home alone.
He answered the door wearing slippers.
When he saw her, he whispered, "I wondered when you'd come."
Maya's anger nearly broke through her control.
"You gave me to him."
Harlan closed his eyes.
"I was told your mother was unstable."
"You were paid."
His face collapsed.
He invited her inside.
For forty minutes he confessed. Victor had bribed him. Police reports were altered. A witness was pressured. Harlan told himself he was protecting his career and family.
"You protected yourself," Maya said.
"Yes."
It was the first honest word he had spoken.
Then Harlan said something she didn't expect.
"Your mother's crash wasn't meant to kill her."
Maya stopped breathing.
"What?"
"Victor wanted to scare her. Force her to sign over the evidence. The driver lost control."
"Who was driving?"
Harlan looked toward the window.
A black SUV had stopped across the street.
His face drained.
"They're here."
The front window shattered.
Maya dropped behind the couch as a heavy object crashed through the glass.
Not a bullet.
A brick.
Taped around it was a photograph of Ben standing at his cart that morning.
May you like
Across the photo, in black marker, someone had written:
NEXT TIME, IT'S HIM.
