Mercer shook his head. I have 18 years on the force. I can't lose my pension over one bad stop. Grant watched as Mercer walked quickly toward the gate, joining Rourke for the return to their patrol car. The alliance was fracturing, but fear still held it together.
As they drove away, Marissa's phone chimed with an email notification. The independent federal court had scheduled an evidentiary hearing on the disputed recordings for the following week. The message was brief, but significant. All parties would be required to present complete and unaltered evidence under oath, with federal penalties for any submission found to be doctored or incomplete. The independent hearing room buzzed with tension as Marissa took her seat at the plaintiff's table.
Two days of expedited filings had moved the case forward with unusual speed. Deputy Marshal Grant sat beside her, a thick folder of evidence documentation spread between them. Across the room, Lieutenant Voss conferred quietly with the city's legal team, while Officer Rourke stared straight ahead, his jaw set in defiant anger. Judge Rebecca Morrison called the session to order. We're here to examine the preservation and integrity of evidence in the arrest of Judge Marissa Cole.
The court will review police recordings, dispatch transmissions, and digital evidence protocols. The city's attorney stood first. Your Honor, after thorough review, we've discovered that the original police server contained additional footage that was temporarily inaccessible due to technical issues. We're prepared to grant full access to all unaltered recordings. Marissa felt a cautious surge of relief.
Grant leaned forward, making notes as the attorney continued. Furthermore, pending this review, officers Roark and Mercer have been placed on temporary administrative suspension. The vehicle in question will be released to Judge Cole immediately following this hearing. Judge Morrison nodded. Marshal Grant, please present your preservation findings.
Grant rose, connecting his laptop to the courtroom display. Your Honor, our investigation identified multiple discrepancies between the publicly released footage and the metadata from the original police recordings. The released version begins 43 seconds after the officers' cameras were activated. The screen filled with timestamp data showing the gap. Murmurs rippled through the gallery as reporters scribbled notes.
Additionally, Grant continued, dispatch records confirm that vehicle ownership was verified at 2:47 p.m. While the arrest occurred at 2:52 p.m. Judge Cole was handcuffed despite confirmed ownership of the Ferrari. Roark shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Mercer stared at his hands, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
Judge Morrison studied the timeline. The court orders immediate access to the complete unaltered police server. No further editing or administrative access will be permitted without court supervision. The city attorney nodded. Understood, Your Honor.
We'll coordinate transfer within 2 hours. Excellent. Judge Morrison looked toward Marissa. Judge Cole, the impounded vehicle will be released to you this afternoon. The court apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the extended seizure.