"Judge Kitage, so pleased you could join us for this important community moment." Before she could respond, a stagehand appeared. "Two minutes, Sheriff." Van nodded, straightening his already straight tie once more.
"Time to remind everyone what real leadership looks like." He gestured to the deputies. "Bring her. Let's show Pine Hollow how we handle threats to public safety."
As they moved toward the stage entrance, Immani caught sight of someone in the small crowd of organizers and assistants. A young woman wearing an event-staff badge, but her fingers moved across her phone with familiar urgency. One of Mina's helpers, positioned exactly where they'd planned. Immani cleared her throat and spoke just loudly enough to carry.
"Strange weather for August." The phrase was meaningless to everyone else, but it was Mina's confirmation code. The helper's slight nod confirmed it. Their encrypted backup was safe, distributed across servers beyond Van's reach.
Through the stage curtain, they could hear Van's introduction being read. "A leader who puts faith and family first, who protects our values." A commotion near the service entrance drew everyone's attention. Two deputies were escorting, half dragging, a new arrival.
Eli "Preach" Sutton stumbled between them, his wrists shackled, his usually pristine mechanic's uniform wrinkled and stained. They'd clearly pulled him straight from his cell, not even allowing him to clean up. Judge Kitage's posture changed. Something in her carefully maintained professional distance cracked at the sight of Preach.
A respected business owner, a community elder, being paraded in chains like a medieval spectacle. The message wasn't subtle. This is what happens to anyone who helps the wrong people. "Get him in position," Van ordered quietly.
"When I signal, bring them both out. Let everyone see what law enforcement means in Pine Hollow." The judge's hands tightened on her robes. Her clerk touched her arm, whispering something urgent, but she shook her head.
The fear that had kept her careful all these years was transforming into something harder and less manageable. Applause thundered as Van stepped through the curtain. His voice boomed through the sound system, practiced and powerful. "My friends, my neighbors, we gather today to reaffirm our commitment to lawfulness and order."
The massive screen behind the stage showed his face in high definition. Every gesture was calculated for maximum impact. Camera flashes sparkled from the media section. Phones rose throughout the crowd, recording.
"In Pine Hollow County," Van continued, "we believe in doing things the right way, the legal way. Just yesterday, our deputies apprehended a dangerous individual who thought our laws didn't apply." Immani stood in the wings, watching Van work the crowd like a revival preacher. Deputies shifted impatiently, eager for their cue to drag out their prisoners.
Preach kept his head high despite everything. Dignity intact, even in handcuffs. A small red light began blinking on the main audio board. The technician frowned, tapping his controls.
Static crackled briefly through the speakers. Van didn't miss a beat. "We face threats to our way of life, but I promise you—" The giant screen flickered once, almost imperceptibly.
A second flash. The audio popped like distant thunder. Something was happening to the feed. The giant screen behind Sheriff Van flickered again, his campaign slogan dissolving into grainy nighttime footage.