Chapter 4 - The Tides Turn
Judge Carter struck her gavel three times, her face set in stone.
"In light of the extraordinary evidence presented to this court, these guardianship proceedings are hereby suspended immediately," Judge Carter declared. "Furthermore, this court finds probable cause to believe that a criminal conspiracy involving attempted murder, poisoning, witness intimidation, and evidence tampering is currently active."
She looked at the uniformed court officers standing along the perimeter.
"Bailiffs, place Daniel Whitmore and Mark Ellis into custody immediately."
"What?!" Daniel screamed as two heavy-set officers grabbed his arms, forcing them behind his back. "You can't arrest me on the word of a dead nurse's child! I am the Vice Chairman of Whitmore Enterprises! Arthur is incompetent! Look at him! He can't even walk!"
"My body may be broken, Daniel," I said, steering my electric wheelchair forward until I was standing face-to-face with my brother, "but my mind is coming back. And I will spend every dime I have left to ensure you spend the rest of your life in a federal prison."
As handcuffs clicked around Daniel's wrists, Mark Ellis dropped to his knees, weeping. "Arthur, please! I'm sorry! Daniel told me you were going to die anyway! He said you wouldn't feel anything!"
"Take them away," Judge Carter commanded.
The gallery erupted as photographers rushed forward, snapping pictures of the great tycoon Daniel Whitmore being dragged down the center aisle in handcuffs, screaming curses at his brother.
When the room settled, Judge Carter looked down at me and little Sophie.
"Mr. Whitmore, due to the serious nature of the allegations regarding your health and medication, I am ordering an immediate emergency medical evaluation conducted by court-appointed physicians at Mount Sinai Hospital. Furthermore, I am assigning independent protective security for you and this child until state authorities resolve the whereabouts of Maria Reyes."
"Thank you, Your Honor," I said.
My heart was pounding, but beneath the fear and shock, a new fire was burning. I looked down at Sophie, who was still clutching her empty purple backpack.
"Where is your mother, Sophie?" I asked softly.
Sophie wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "Two men in a black car took her away from our apartment three nights ago, Mr. Whitmore. But she hid me in the laundry room closet before they came in. She told me to wait until morning, take the bus to the court, and stay in the bathroom until I heard your name."
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My blood ran cold. Maria wasn't just missing. She had been kidnapped.
I turned to the lead court detective who had stepped forward to take charge of the crime scene. "Detective, my brother didn't work alone. He doesn't have the stomach to hold a witness hostage himself. Find out who he hired, and find Maria before it's too late."
