Chapter 12 - The False Courtroom
The courthouse annex belonged to the Whitmore Foundation.
It contained interview rooms designed to resemble family court.
Children were brought there for “assessments.”
Parents believed judges were reviewing their behavior.
In reality, many sessions were staged.
The rooms contained hidden cameras.
Foundation attorneys edited footage.
Therapists guided children toward specific answers.
The recordings were later introduced in real court as professional evaluations.
Judge Voss had signed the order to bring Sophie there.
He wanted one final video.
One final performance.
One final chance to make me look dangerous.
Agent Bennett prepared a controlled operation.
Sophie would not be placed at risk.
A child actor was never considered.
The biometric account required the real Sophie.
Instead, investigators created a digital confirmation that would appear successful.
We entered the building with state officers hidden nearby.
Sophie remained in a secure vehicle several blocks away.
I wore a recording device beneath my shirt.
My mother was brought from detention under court order.
Her transport was controlled by state police.
Bethany was also present.
She looked different.
Her perfect hair was gone.
Her face was pale.
She would not meet my eyes.
Judge Voss sat behind a wooden bench.
The room looked official.
But the state seal on the wall was fake.
Dr. Caroline stood beside him.
She had not escaped the state after the hangar incident.
Ryan Pierce had been hiding her inside the annex.
Chief Pierce was absent.
My father sat at the defense table in restraints.
His attorney argued the hearing was necessary to protect Sophie’s financial interests.
Judge Voss looked at me.
“Where is the child?”
“She is safe.”
“She was ordered to appear.”
“She will not enter this building.”
Voss frowned.
“Mr. Carter, you continue to demonstrate hostility.”
I looked around the room.
“This is not a court.”
My mother smiled.
“It is more effective than one.”
The doors locked behind me.
The lights above the judge’s bench turned red.
A screen appeared on the wall.
It showed Sophie sitting inside the secure vehicle.
My heart stopped.
They had hacked the surveillance feed.
My mother looked toward the screen.
“There she is.”
Agent Bennett’s voice came through my hidden earpiece.
“Remain calm.”
Dr. Caroline entered information into a computer.
A biometric request appeared.
The system wanted Sophie’s face and voice.
Then the screen changed.
Ryan Pierce appeared.
He was inside another room.
Behind him were shelves filled with files.
“The account is ready,” he said.
My mother leaned forward.
“Transfer everything.”
Ryan smiled.
“You still think it belongs to you.”
Her expression hardened.
“We had an agreement.”
“You targeted my daughter.”
“You were compensated.”
“You tried to take her.”
“You took children for years.”
“That was business.”
Ryan laughed.
“And now business is over.”
He pressed a button.
The account began transferring funds.
Not to my parents.
Not to Ryan.
The money was being returned to dozens of victims.
Names appeared across the screen.
Families from the ledger.
Parents who had lost homes.
Children whose trusts had been drained.
My mother stood.
“Stop it.”
Ryan ignored her.
Judge Voss reached for the computer.
The door beside him burst open.
State officers entered.
Agent Bennett stepped behind them.
“Step away from the system.”
Voss froze.
Dr. Caroline raised her hands.
My father looked at my mother.
“You said Ryan was controlled.”
My mother turned on him.
“You were supposed to deal with him.”
“You told me Pierce had him.”
“Pierce is useless.”
Their argument was recorded.
Every accusation exposed another part of the conspiracy.
Then Bethany began laughing.
Everyone looked at her.
At first, it sounded hysterical.
Then she reached beneath the table.
She pulled out a small remote.
My mother’s face changed.
“Bethany, do not.”
Bethany looked at me for the first time.
“You all think I was the stupid one.”
She pressed the button.
The building alarm screamed.
Metal shutters dropped over the windows.
Gas began pouring through the vents.
Bethany stood and backed toward a side door.
May you like
“You wanted the truth?”
“You can die with it.”
