Chapter 13 - Cornered Fox
"This is insane!" Reggie shouted, stepping into the aisle. "Your Honor, she’s traumatized! Mercer’s men have clearly threatened her!"
"Sit down, Mr. Shaw!" the judge barked. "Bailiffs, secure the room!"
Ellie walked up to the clerk’s desk and placed the USB drive on the mahogany wood. "This drive contains video logs from the Mercer garage four years ago, signed financial ledgers, and a confession recorded by my late husband before he was taken."
Jude slowly turned his head, staring at Reggie with a cold, triumphant glare.
Reggie knew it was over. The media cameras were recording every frame. The federal marshals inside the room were already moving toward the gallery exits, hand on their holsters.
Reggie reached slowly into his suit jacket.
"Reggie, don't!" Jude warned, his voice cutting through the noise.
Reggie pulled a small concealed pistol, grabbing a female court reporter around the neck and pulling her backward as a human shield.
The courtroom erupted into total chaos. Spectators screamed, diving beneath wooden benches. Marshals drew their sidearms, shouting conflicting orders.
"Nobody move!" Reggie yelled, his eyes wide with desperate madness. "Back off or I paint the wall with her!"
Ellie instantly ducked, shielding Brinley under a wooden bench.
Reggie backed up toward the side exit door that led to the judge’s private chambers. "You think you won, Jude? You don't know anything! The Morettis already own this city! Killing me won't save you!"
Before Reggie could open the exit door, Jude stood up from the defense table.
Using the heavy steel handcuffs linking his wrists, Jude slammed his arms down onto the oak table, using the leverage to snap the chain link across the sharp metal edge of the microphone stand.
With a loud metallic snap, the chain gave way.
Jude charged forward like a predator unleashed. He ignored the marshals, ignored the chaos, and vaulted over the wooden barrier.
Reggie fired a wild shot—the bullet grazing Jude’s shoulder, tearing through dark orange fabric.
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Jude didn't even flinch. He hit Reggie like a freight train, slamming him back through the heavy wooden doors of the judge's chambers.
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