He'd learned that lesson well in places that would never appear in any official record. Now, all he had to do was wait. Morning sunlight streamed through the courthouse's high windows, casting long shadows across the worn wooden benches. Elijah sat in the front row of the arraignment courtroom. Orange jumpsuit stark against the dark wood paneling.
His wrists and ankles were shackled. Kerns's special instruction to the transport team. The gallery behind him filled quickly. News crews jostled for position, their cameras trained on his back. Ruth Ann Carter slipped into a seat near the middle.
Her face tight with worry. Deputy Kyle Mercer stood guard by the door, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Sheriff Kerns strutted in through the side entrance, chest puffed out beneath his polished badge. He dressed in full ceremonial uniform for the occasion. Brass gleaming, boots mirror-shined.
Commissioner Harold Pike followed close behind. His expensive suit marking him as different from the working-class spectators. All rise! The bailiff's voice cracked through the murmuring crowd. Judge Malcolm Whitaker emerged from his chambers, his black robe billowing as he ascended to the bench.
Be seated, Whitaker commanded, adjusting his reading glasses. We're here for the arraignment of Elijah Boone on multiple federal charges. The main courtroom doors burst open. Three men in dark suits strode in, flanked by uniformed federal marshals. The lead agent held up his credentials.
Special Agent Marcus Torres, FBI Public Corruption Unit. These proceedings are temporarily suspended pending federal investigation. Judge Whitaker's face flushed red. Now see here. Your Honor, Torres cut in smoothly.
I have a federal order superseding local jurisdiction. He approached the bench, presenting a thick envelope of documents. Kerns stepped forward, his ceremony disrupted. This is outrageous. We have valid charges.
Sheriff Dalton Kerns, another agent approached him. We'll need you to step aside. We have some questions about certain financial transactions between your department and Magnolia Crest Development Group. The color drained from Commissioner Pike's face. He began edging toward the side door, but a marshal moved to block his path.
Commissioner Harold Pike, Torres called out. Please remain where you are. We have particular interest in recent zoning changes approved under unusual circumstances. The courtroom erupted in whispers. Cameras swiveled from Elijah to capture Kerns' increasingly panicked expression.
Ruth Ann Carter pulled out her phone, livestreaming once again. I have copies here. Torres continued, his voice carrying clearly, of mineral survey reports conducted secretly on multiple properties. Properties that subsequently experienced suspicious fires, followed by forced sales to Magnolia Crest at severely reduced prices. More federal agents entered, wheeling in hand trucks loaded with empty document boxes.