Mrs. Carter, I need to get to the courthouse. Will you be okay? I'm not going anywhere, she said firmly. Tell Angela we're all praying for her.
At the courthouse, Marcus found Diana waiting outside courtroom C. Her expression was grim. It's worse than we thought," she said quietly. "Matthews and Holt golfed together at Crystal Lake. He's already denied three of my motions this morning.
Inside, the courtroom felt heavy with tension. " Angela sat straight back at the defendant's table, still wearing yesterday's clothes. Captain Holt lounged in the front row, smirking. Judge Matthews entered, barely glancing at the defense table. Case number 2547, State versus Brooks, charges of obstruction and inciting civil unrest. Diana stood.
Your honor, my client is a respected community member with no prior record. We request release on her own recgnissance. Objection, the prosecutor interrupted. The defendant actively resisted officers and encouraged others to interfere with police business. She remains a threat to public order.
Matthews nodded. Agreed. Bail is set at $500,000. Marcus felt his fists clench. The amount was astronomical for misdemeanor charges, clearly meant to keep Angela locked up.
"Your honor," Diana protested. "That amount is punitive, and that's my ruling, counselor," Matthews banged his gavvel. "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 Hol stride past, speaking quietly into his phone. Everything about this felt calculated, 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 wasn't 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's voice held cautious interest. 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. Lot of important people 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.
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 48 hours, Marcus replied. I'll show you how deep this goes.