"One error is possible," Maya replied. "The same error in separate cases is a procedure." Ruth looked toward the garage. "Is that why they chose your motorcycle?"
"I do not know yet." Eleanor placed Walter's photograph in front of Maya. "They are not only taking vehicles. They are taking the part of a family that cannot be replaced."
Maya looked at Walter's hand resting on the Corvette's hood. She thought about Daniel writing in the maintenance notebook when his hands were already becoming unsteady. "Justice is not equal when only the people who can afford delay are allowed to reach it," she said. Eleanor answered quietly. "Then the delay is part of the theft."
Maya remained silent for several seconds before organizing the files into three groups: seizure records, towing records, and auction documents.
"If we proceed, we proceed correctly," she said. "You handle the civil matter. I do not contact investigators directly. Any criminal evidence goes to an independent federal team. I disclose the conflict and step away from every matter involving Monroe County."
Ruth looked at her. "Conflict?" Eleanor already understood. "Are you ready to notify the chief judge?" she asked.
Maya placed both hands on the table. "I will notify the chief judge in the morning. A federal judge cannot remain involved in this matter without making the conflict public." Ruth stared at her. "You are a federal judge?"
"Yes." "Did Hale know?" "No."
Ruth sat back slowly. Maya continued before either woman could respond. "That cannot become the center of this case. What happened was not wrong because of my position. It was wrong before they knew anything about me."
She carried the files into her home office and pinned a map of Monroe County to the wall. Ruth gave her the locations of 19 previous vehicle seizures. Maya marked each one in red. When she finished, every mark lay along the same section of Kingsley Boulevard.
She stepped back and examined the line. The officers had not created a few isolated disputes. They had built a route.
The next morning, Maya called the chief judge before she left the house. Chief Judge Samuel Whitaker had served on the federal bench for more than 20 years. He listened without interrupting while Maya described the stop, the seizure of the Ducati, the early arrival of the tow truck, and the records Ruth had collected.
When she finished, he asked one question. "Do you believe Monroe County matters could come before you while this is being reviewed?" "Yes." "Then you know what has to happen."
"I do." Maya formally requested temporary reassignment from every case involving Monroe County, its sheriff's department, and any contractor connected to the seizure dispute. Whitaker approved the request. "I will issue a short administrative statement," he said. "It will confirm that you are a witness in a private legal matter, and that you will not participate in related judicial decisions."
"Thank you." "Maya, are you asking for court security?" "Not at this time." "That was not a casual question."
"I understand. There has been pressure, but no direct threat." "Call me before that changes, not after." "I will."