"That's my ruling, counselor." Matthews banged his gavel. "Next case."
Officers led Angela toward the holding area. She caught Marcus's eye, her expression determined despite everything.
In the courthouse hallway, Diana was already making calls. "We'll appeal the bail amount, but it could take days. They're using the system to wear her down."
Marcus watched Holt stride past, speaking quietly into his phone. Everything about this felt calculated and orchestrated.
"I need to make a call," he told Diana. "Keep pushing the appeal."
Outside, Marcus dialed Jack Morrison at the Metro Daily. The journalist had covered police corruption before and was not afraid of powerful enemies.
"Jack, it's Marcus Brooks. Remember that story you wrote about developer kickbacks last year? I've got something bigger."
"I'm listening," Jack said, cautious but interested.
"Vision Heights Development, Crystal Lake Country Club, and a police captain using his badge to force property sales. I've got documents showing the pattern, plus witness statements about police harassment."
"Serious allegations," Jack said. "A lot of important people are involved in Vision Heights."
"That's why it needs to come out. They're holding my wife on ridiculous bail while they try to clear the neighborhood."
A pause followed. "Get me solid proof connecting Holt to the developer payoffs and I'll run the story. But it has to be bulletproof. Documents, recordings, money trail. These people have expensive lawyers."
"Give me forty-eight hours," Marcus replied. "I'll show you how deep this goes."
"Marcus," Jack added, "be careful. The last reporter who looked into Vision Heights had his brake lines cut. Ruled an accident, of course."
"Just be ready to move when I call," Marcus said before ending the call.
Later, Marcus sat in the back booth of Joey's Diner, far from windows and security cameras. The lunch crowd had thinned, leaving only a few regulars at the counter. Daniel Reeves arrived on time, sliding into the opposite seat with a worn leather messenger bag.
"Thanks for meeting me," Marcus said quietly.
Daniel pulled out a laptop and several folders. "Jack Morrison vouched for you. Said this involves Captain Holt and Vision Heights."
"My wife's in jail because she got in their way." Marcus spread out Mrs. Carter's documents. "They're systematically forcing people out of Brookside Street."
Daniel studied the papers, his expression growing darker. "These harassment patterns match complaints I've heard from other neighborhoods. Vision Heights shows up wherever Holt's officers target residents."
A waitress approached, but Daniel waved her away. He opened his laptop and pulled up spreadsheets and property records.