They Poisoned My Father, So I Bankrupted Their Billion-Dollar Empire

Chapter 21: The Judge

The honorable Judge Clayton presided over the county court like it was his personal country club. He leaned back in his leather chair, peering over his spectacles at Elena.

"Ms. Vance," Judge Clayton drawled, "this so-called 'tape' is decades old. The chain of custody is broken. It was found in a shipping container, for God's sake. I am inclined to grant the defense's motion to suppress."

Jack gripped the edge of the defendant's table. "He admitted to it! You heard him!"

"Order!" Clayton banged his gavel. He looked at the OmniCore lawyers and offered a subtle, knowing nod. It was the nod of a man who played golf with Marcus Thorne every Sunday. "I am dismissing the evidence on grounds of judicial inadmissibility."

Elena didn't look flustered. She looked bored. She reached into her briefcase and pulled out a stamped document.

"I anticipated this ruling, Your Honor," Elena said, her voice ice-cold. "Which is why, as of 8:00 AM this morning, I filed a motion for a change of venue."

Clayton froze. "Excuse me?"

"Since the crimes involve interstate commerce and RICO violations, this is no longer a county matter," Elena smiled, sliding the paper across the bench. "We are moving to Federal Court. You don't have jurisdiction anymore."

Clayton’s face turned a shade of purple usually reserved for bruised fruit. He stammered, looking at the OmniCore team, who were frantically checking their phones.

"This court is adjourned," Clayton whispered, defeated.