That changed with the next witness. Elaine Porter walked to the stand with her attorney seated behind her. Her expression remained controlled as she took the oath. Maya approached carefully. Miss Porter, did you provide that case to Simon Vale?
Yes. Denise looked toward Voss. His face did not change, but his pen stopped moving. Maya continued, "Did Mr. Vale know who you were? " "No. " "Why not?
I did not want the delivery traced back to me before the material reached neutral custody. Why did you send it anonymously? " Elaine looked at Judge Price before answering. "Because internal records at Apex Meridian were being reviewed, moved, and in some cases marked for disposal. I was concerned that records related to the Bennett matter might not remain available. Voss stood.
Objection. This is moving into the substance of disputed corporate material. Judge Price nodded. Sustained. Miss Williams.
Keep the questions to providence for now. Maya adjusted immediately. Did you personally place the materials inside the case? Yes. Did you seal it?
Yes. Did you place the note under the handle? Yes. Why did the note say the case should only be opened in front of a judge? Elaine answered without looking toward Voss.
I wanted a neutral record of what was inside when the seal was broken. I did not want either side to have private access first. Did anyone from Williams, Carter, and Brooks know you were sending it? No. Did Harold Bennett know?
No. Did Sergeant Mercer? Not from me. Deputy Chief Keane? No.
Adrien Voss? Elaine paused. I did not tell him directly. Maya heard the qualification. Did someone inside Apex Meridian know material was leaving?
Yes, that is how outside council could have learned about the transfer. It is possible. Voss rose again. Objection. Speculation.
Sustained. Maya nodded. Nothing further on that point. The chain was now clear enough for Judge Price to consider the next question. Elaine had packed the records.
Simon had carried the sealed case. Maya had received it. Courthouse personnel had then placed it into secure custody without breaking the seal. Still, Voss had one argument left. He stood, your honor, even if the package itself was legitimate.
That does not prove any coordinated effort to manufacture an obstruction incident. At most, the record shows that Apex Meridian became aware of a possible unauthorized transfer and law enforcement responded aggressively. He looked toward Mercer. There is no evidence Sergeant Mercer was instructed to create a false charge. Maya exchanged a glance with Lena.
Then Lena opened a document envelope. Voss noticed. What is that? Maya stood. An authenticated audio recording.
Voss's expression changed for the first time. From where? Lena answered from council table. My digital dictation recorder. Judge Price looked at her.
Was it operating during the courthouse encounter? Yes, your honor. I had been recording notes before we arrived. I did not realize until later that it had continued running, Maya added. The original file has been preserved.
Nolan Price authenticated the creation data and confirmed no editing or breaks in the recording. Voss stood. This should have been disclosed earlier. It was disclosed under seal after authentication. Maya said, "Your office received notice before this hearing. " Judge Price checked the docket.
"She is correct. " The judge looked at Voss. "Sit down. " Lena connected the recording to the courtroom system. Maya did not play the entire encounter. She began with Mercer's voice. "I need you to follow the order. " Then Maya's recorded voice.
"What offense are you investigating? " Mercer answered. Keep resisting and I'll have enough for obstruction. Denise's voice followed. Enough for what? We haven't refused detention.
Then Mercer. That's what the report will establish. The courtroom remained still. Mercer looked down. Maya allowed the recording to continue.
Her own voice asked, "Did someone tell you to stop this case from entering the building? " There was a short pause. Then Mercer's recorded answer came through the speakers. My instructions were to make sure it didn't reach a courtroom. Maya stopped the audio. Judge Price looked directly at Mercer.
Sergeant, returned to the stand. Mercer did. Price spoke before Maya could ask anything. Who gave you that instruction? Mercer glanced toward Keane.
Deputy Chief Keane. Keane's expression remained rigid. Maya approached Mercer. Did Deputy Chief Keane tell you to fabricate an obstruction charge? No.
Did he tell you to handcuff us? No. Then why did you say you would have enough for obstruction before any obstruction had occurred? Mercer's answer came slowly. I believed refusal to follow the security directive would justify it.
But we had not refused detention. No, we had not tried to leave. No, we had not physically interfered. No. So, the conduct you plan to call obstruction was our decision to question the legal basis for your order.
Mercer hesitated? Yes. Maya returned to council table. Voss stood before she could continue. Even this does not establish that my office directed Sergeant Mercer's conduct.
Maya looked at him. You're right. The answer surprised him. You never wrote. Handcuff my opposing council.
She placed the timeline on the courtroom monitor. Your team learned that internal Bennett material might leave Apex Meridian. A private investigator contacted Keane. Keane issued an intercept instruction. Mercer was positioned outside the courthouse.