Ms. Wright, the representative from the Department of Justice, spoke with an impassioned fervor that rivaled even that of Buson Laun.
Before her tenure as an Assistant Attorney General, Ms. Wright had been one of D.C.'s most prominent lobbyists. Her current position was effectively a political "thank you" from her boss after a successful election cycle. Naturally, her eloquence was top-tier, her delivery calculated to sway the room with raw emotion.
But this wasn't a university campus or a campaign podium. This was a US Federal Court—a sanctuary of order where emotions are secondary to cold, hard evidence.
The moment Ms. Wright paused to catch her breath, Buson Laun rose calmly. He looked directly at Judge Knott and handed over a document detailing Locke's movements on the night in question. "Your Honor, my client has a perfect alibi for that evening!"
This was the hammer—tangible, verifiable evidence.
Laun looked at Ms. Wright and smiled broadly. "On the night of the alleged incident, my client was a guest at a classmate's home for the entire evening. During the timeframe mentioned, he never left the sight of his classmate's family. Unless my client has mastered the art of bilocation, do you truly believe he remains a suspect?"
"But that is your client's property where the blood was found!" Ms. Wright shot back.
"Indeed it is." Laun turned back to the judge. "Your Honor, my client has been kidnapped before—taken directly from his home. I must point out that if the 'Peerless Assassin' could infiltrate my client's residence once, why would it be difficult to do so a second time?"
The Peerless Assassin had kidnapped Locke from the Star Tower previously; elevator surveillance footage already existed as public record. If a world-class killer could get in once, why wouldn't they use the space again?
"As for the allegation of collusion," Laun continued, returning to his table to retrieve another file, "that theory collapses under its own weight. Just a few days ago, after my client was arrested on baseless charges at his school dance, he was ambushed while in federal custody. Someone used a rocket launcher to try and take his life. Does that sound like the treatment of an accomplice?"
Ms. Wright smiled. 'I was waiting for you to say that.'
She interjected immediately: "That only reinforces the connection! The Peerless Assassin saw your client was in custody and moved to silence him permanently to prevent him from revealing incriminating information."
Laun looked her in the eye. "Ms. Wright, I must remind you that this is a court of law. We speak with evidence. From the start, you have slandered my client, but where is your proof?"
"That is exactly why our law enforcement agencies require an investigation!"
"Ms. Wright—"
"Enough!"
Judge Knott, having spent the last few minutes reviewing a mountain of files, rubbed his temples. He was clearly displeased by the bickering. "Mr. Laun, I am giving you one warning."
Laun bowed slightly. "My apologies, Your Honor."
"And as for you," the judge turned a stern gaze toward Ms. Wright. "This hearing is to determine if this case should be public, not to decide guilt or innocence. Do you think I don't see what you're trying to do?"
His favor toward the defense plummeted further. He took off his glasses and pointed the frame at her. "Now, tell me: what is the specific national security interest? I don't have time to play games with the DOJ. Either show me how this case endangers the US, or prepare for an open, public trial."
Ms. Wright hesitated. Laun made a polite "after you" gesture, inviting her to begin her performance.
'You claim transparency will endanger the country? Then prove it.'
Ms. Wright frowned and looked back at Nick Fury and the FBI Supervisor. The Supervisor was practically vibrating in his seat. If Ms. Wright dared to claim this mess involved the "security of the FBI," he was ready to stand up and officially distance the Bureau from the Baldy.
However, Nick Fury gave a subtle, imperceptible nod. Ms. Wright understood the signal.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was a secret agency that could not be exposed, but they had already made arrangements with Langley. Unlike the FBI—those "rebellious children" who often defied DOJ oversight—the CIA was effectively the President's personal instrument. While the Attorney General is an appointee, the FBI is a bureaucratic institution of civil servants. The CIA, however, operates under much more flexible executive mandates.
Langley was the perfect "black pot" to take the fall.
The plan was simple: state that Nick Fury and his team were deep-cover CIA operatives using the FBI as a "legend" to investigate international espionage. If the identity of CIA field agents were exposed, it would be a textbook case of endangering national security.
Perfect.
Ms. Wright looked back at Judge Knott. "Your Honor, this matter is of grave importance. With all due respect, the plaintiff and his counsel do not have the security clearance to hear the details of this specific defense."
Judge Knott let out a dry laugh. "Fine. A five-minute recess. Join me in my chambers. But be warned, Ms. Wright: if I find you are making a mockery of this court again, I will have you detained for contempt. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly, Your Honor."
*Bang!*
The gavel fell.
"Five-minute recess."
Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, and Melinda May stood up. Fury adjusted his coat, casting a lingering glance at Locke at the plaintiff's table. His look seemed to say: 'You have no idea who you're playing with, kid.'
It was, in a word, infuriatingly smug.
Locke watched them file into the judge's chambers with the bailiff. He leaned over to Laun. "Do you think they'll tell the truth in there?"
The attempt to smear Locke as a terrorist hadn't worked. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s recent maneuvers had pushed Judge Knott's patience into the negatives. By fixating on "National Security," they had backed themselves into a corner where they had to deliver a real secret or lose the seal.
Locke and Laun had discussed this scenario. If S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't break Locke's character, they would have to lean on their own. Their identities couldn't be revealed... or rather, their true identities couldn't be.
Whose identities are so sensitive that exposure constitutes a national disaster?
CIA agents. Langley operatives' identities are strictly classified; exposing them is a federal crime.
But there was a catch. Were Fury and the others actually CIA?
If they were, S.H.I.E.L.D. would have the leverage to crush Locke later. But if they weren't, and they claimed they were?
That was perjury. In front of a US Federal Judge.
Locke's keen senses could already hear the muffled voices in the back office. He could practically hear Fury placing his hand on the Bible and claiming that his words were the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
"Get ready," Locke whispered to Laun. "The prey has walked into the trap."
Laun nodded and gestured to his assistant, who quickly produced a freshly prepared, revised document from a briefcase.
Five minutes passed. The judge didn't return.
Locke and Laun exchanged a look. As predicted, they were likely involving the CIA as a front.
Ten minutes later, Judge Knott emerged, his face dark. Fury and his team followed, the gloom having visibly lifted from their expressions. Coulson and May even had a slight spring in their step.
From their perspective, the game was over. This New York trip had almost been a day of professional humiliation—Phil had even imagined Natasha Romanoff laughing herself hoarse back in D.C. at the thought of them being outmaneuvered by a sixteen-year-old.
Judge Knott took his seat, put on his glasses, and looked at the defense table with a mixture of frustration and resignation. Then, he looked at Locke with a sense of genuine regret.
"I apologize..." Knott began, searching for the right words. Langley had apparently confirmed the "identities" of the three agents. If he forced a public trial now, he truly would be compromising US national security interests. He was a champion of transparency, but he wasn't reckless.
He prepared to rule for dismissal while planning to levy the highest possible settlement fine in US history to compensate the boy.
But...
"Your Honor!"
Laun and Locke stood up simultaneously. Laun glanced at the "victorious" trio at the defense table and spoke in a voice like thunder:
"Your Honor, my client has had a change of heart. We are dropping all charges against the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Instead, we are filing a direct suit against the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division—and its Director, Nick Fury!"
The silence that followed was deafening.
Nick Fury and his team froze, then bolted upright.
Their faces... went from smug triumph to a deathly, ashen pale.
***
We hit 300 stones goals
Thanks for the support lovely readers.
As promised 2 bonus chapters are posted, let's see if we can hit 400 stones too.
I'll post another bonus if we do before weekly reset.
***
Read 30 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666