From whom? Confidential source. Maya immediately focused on the answer. This was the first time Mercer had described the source as confidential rather than irrelevant. Was the source connected to the corporation?
Maya asked. Mercer looked back at her. Conversation's over. Was the source the party claiming these records were unauthorized? No more questions.
Mercer bent toward the case. Maya spoke before his hand reached the handle. If you take custody, the transfer needs to be documented. He straightened again. You don't control my procedure.
Neither do you control what happened before you arrived. Mercer's face hardened. I was here before that case was delivered. The words came out before he seemed to realize what he had said. Silence followed.
Denise looked at Lena. Lena looked directly at Mercer. Maya asked one question. You were here before the delivery. Mercer corrected himself immediately.
I was in the area. That isn't what you said. I was assigned to courthouse security. Before receiving the emergency notification, Mercer's jaw tightened. He reached for his radio instead of answering.
Maya understood the significance. Mercer had not simply responded quickly. He had been positioned near the courthouse before the anonymous courier arrived. The delivery had been anticipated. A door opened behind them.
Footsteps came down the courthouse stairs. A court administrator stopped when he saw the three women in handcuffs, then turned back toward the entrance as another person stepped outside. Chief Judge Eleanor Price looked first at Mercer, then at the sealed charcoal case on the pavement. Her attention moved to Maya. The judge stopped.
"Sergeant Mercer," she said. "What exactly are you doing? " Chief Judge Eleanor Price descended the remaining steps and looked from Maya to Denise and Lena before turning back to Mercer. "Security matter, your honor," Mercer said. I received information about a suspicious transfer involving potentially unauthorized corporate records. Price glanced at the charcoal case on the pavement and that required handcuffs.
They refused to cooperate fully. Maya spoke before Mercer could continue. We complied with every movement instruction. We refused consent to search or open a sealed container from an unidentified source. Mercer looked at her.
You repeatedly challenged lawful instructions. We asked you to identify them. Price raised one hand. Enough. She stepped closer to Maya and studied the cuffs behind her back.
Sergeant, do you know who you detained? Mercer hesitated. Maya Williams. Price looked at him. You detained Maya Williams?
You know her? Know her? Price turned toward Denise and Lena. That is Denise Carter. That is Lena Brooks.
You have Williams, Carter, and Brooks standing in handcuffs outside my courthouse. Mercer's face changed. Price continued. They are lead counsel for Harold Bennett in Bennett versus Apex Meridian. For the first time since the encounter began, Mercer said nothing.
The people nearby who had been watching quietly now understood why the three women had spoken with such precision. Williams, Carter, and Brooks LLP was not a neighborhood practice or a firm that appeared occasionally in county court. Maya was its managing partner and lead trial strategist. Denise Carter had built her reputation in high-stakes cross-examination while Lena Brooks handled appellate questions, evidence disputes, and complex digital records. Their current client, Harold Bennett, was a former chief financial officer accusing Apex Meridian Development of concealing financial records and manipulating public contract documents.
Mercer looked back at the case. There appears to have been a misunderstanding. Maya faced him. A misunderstanding is getting someone's name wrong. Mercer said nothing.
You made a legal conclusion before establishing the facts. Maya continued. Our profession doesn't change that. Price looked at Mercer. Remove the cuffs.
Your honor, I still have an active security concern involving the container. You may address the container without keeping three people restrained who have complied with you. Mercer unlocked Maya first. She brought her hands forward and adjusted her jacket without comment. Denise and Lena were released next.
Denise looked at Mercer. Are we still detained? Mercer glanced toward Price before answering. Not at this time. Maya noticed the wording but did not challenge it.
Price pointed toward the case. Now explain where that came from. Maya picked up the folded note but left the case untouched. A courier approached us at the foot of the steps and delivered it directly to me. No sender was identified.
The case was sealed when I received it and has not been opened. She handed the note to Price. The judge read it once. Her expression tightened slightly at the reference to Apex Meridian. You know who sent this?
No. Does Mr. Bennett? Not that we know. Mercer stepped in.
So, she admits she had no idea where the material came from. Maya looked at him. Correct. But you intended to bring it inside. No, I intended to determine lawful custody before anyone examined it.
You were standing at the courthouse entrance holding it. Receiving a package is not the same as authenticating its contents. Mercer started to answer, but Price stopped him. Nobody is opening this case on the courthouse steps. She turned to the court administrator beside her.
Have security. Photograph the exterior. Document the seal and place it in secure evidence storage. Mercer frowned. Your honor, this may involve unauthorized corporate property, and that question can be addressed without destroying the condition in which it arrived.
Price looked at Maya. No one from your firm touches it until I decide how provenance and custody will be handled. Understood. Same applies to Apex Meridian. Maya gave a small nod.
That was the outcome she wanted. The case would remain sealed. Neither side would control it and whatever was inside would stay under neutral custody. The administrator called courthouse security. An evidence officer arrived, photographed the case, recorded the seal, and prepared the transfer paperwork.
Lena watched every step. Mercer watched her. When the evidence officer carried the case inside, Price turned back to Mercer. I expect a complete report of this encounter. You'll have one.
Price looked at his body camera, including the recording. Mercer paused. The camera malfunctioned during part of the contact. Lena met his eyes, but said nothing. Price's attention remained on Mercer.