Whitmore's hands began to tremble. "That's... that's fake," his voice cracked. "Has to be fake."
Mills sprinted onto the lawn, typing frantically into his mobile terminal. He looked at the screen, his face turning ghostly pale. "Derek... Oh God, Derek. She's real."
Mills turned the tablet around. Judge Simone Laurent’s official court portrait filled the screen: black robes, American flag, Senate confirmation details, appointed 2019. And at the bottom: Presiding Judge in Henderson v. Portland Police Department.
Whitmore snatched the phone, staring at the screen, his breathing shallow and rapid. "I... I didn't know..."
"I tried to tell you!" Eleanor shouted from her porch. "I tried to warn you!"
Marcus zoomed his phone camera directly onto Whitmore’s trembling face. His livestream chat was moving too fast to read: Yo, this cop is done! He just assaulted a federal judge! Career over!
Mr. Carter walked to the fence line, his voice carrying lawyerly authority. "I am a retired civil rights attorney! I witnessed the entire event! Battery, unlawful detainment, deprivation of civil rights under color of law—all documented!"
Simone wiped water from her eyes. "Officer Mills, what is your badge number?"
Mills straightened up immediately. "2847, Your Honor."
"Did you witness everything that just occurred?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Mills swallowed hard.
"And you attempted to stop your partner?"
"I tried, Your Honor. I really tried."
Whitmore spun on him. "Shut up, Mills!"
"No, Derek!" Mills stepped back. "I'm not going down with you!"
Simone pulled her personal phone from her pocket. Miraculously, the waterproof casing had held. She tapped the screen, dialed a direct number, and placed the call on speaker.
"Chief Winters," the voice answered after two rings.
"Chief Winters, this is Judge Simone Laurent. I need you at my home immediately. 2847 Maple Ridge Drive."
A brief pause. "Judge Laurent? Is everything alright?"
"No. One of your officers just physically assaulted me in my front yard after accusing me of trespassing at my own home."
A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the line, followed by Chief Amanda Winters's furious response. "Which officer?"