The Voice Behind the Courtroom Screen
Chapter 04 - The Voice Behind the Courtroom Screen
Detective Bennett ordered court security to trace the video signal.
The feed came from a maintenance room two floors below.
Officers found Daniel Price inside with three laptops, forged identity cards, and access to the county property database. He tried to delete the files, but security cut the network before he could finish.
Daniel confessed that Adrian had paid him to alter ownership records and create the fake buyer. Melissa prepared the forged documents, while Daniel used government systems to make them appear official.
But Daniel revealed one final part of the plan.
Adrian had arranged for Emma to be declared legally incompetent.
A psychiatrist was prepared to testify that she suffered memory loss, paranoia, and delusions. Once the court accepted that claim, Adrian intended to become her guardian and control her trust permanently.
The psychiatrist was Dr. Samuel Reed—the same doctor Adrian had forced Emma to see for months.
Dr. Reed had prescribed medication that made her dizzy, confused, and exhausted. Adrian then used those symptoms as proof she was unstable.
Emma finally understood how carefully the trap had been built.
At the emergency hearing, Dr. Reed testified by video, claiming Emma could not distinguish reality from imagination.
Then Detective Bennett played another recovered recording.
It showed Adrian paying Dr. Reed and saying, “Keep her uncertain. The more she doubts herself, the easier the papers become.”
The courtroom erupted.
Dr. Reed disconnected, but police arrested him at his office minutes later.
Adrian attempted to leave.
The judge ordered him detained for witness intimidation, fraud, and violating the temporary no-contact order.
Adrian turned toward Emma.
“You think this makes you strong?” he shouted. “You would have nothing without me.”
Emma stood slowly.
“I had nothing because of you.”
The judge invalidated the fraudulent sale and restored the apartment to Emma’s name.
But before the hearing ended, a court clerk rushed forward with new information.
Someone had entered Emma’s apartment using Adrian’s old security code.
The building alarm had been disabled.
Smoke was coming from the unit.
Adrian smiled.
May you like
Even in custody, he had one final accomplice.
And that person was destroying the evidence still hidden inside Emma’s home.
