Chapter 3 - Why Elena Had the Wallet
Elena did not normally carry her judicial credential around the school.
That afternoon was different.
She had come directly from the Franklin County Justice Center, where she served as Chief Judge of a specialized civil division.
At thirty-nine, she was younger than many judges she supervised.
She had reached the position through an unglamorous combination of years as an assistant attorney general, trial work, appointment to the bench, election, and a reputation for administrative discipline that made colleagues trust her with difficult calendars.
She also knew exactly what her title could not do.
She could not order Max punished.
She could not direct police.
She could not decide a case involving her daughter.
She could not call another judge and ask for a favor.
And she could not use the courthouse as a weapon against an ex-husband she hated.
The moment Harris saw the credential, Elena understood she would have to be more careful than anyone else in that room.
She closed the wallet.
“Principal Harris, I am here as Ava’s mother.”
Richard laughed.
“Sure you are.”
Elena looked at him.
“You just grabbed me in front of a witness.”
“You came in threatening my son.”
“I asked him one question.”
“He’s eleven.”
“So is Ava.”
Max’s confidence slipped slightly.
Harris stepped toward the phone.
“I think we should stop this meeting.”
“Yes,” Elena said.
Richard turned sharply.
“You’re not walking out and turning this into some judicial witch hunt.”
Elena picked up the five-thousand-dollar check from the floor with two fingers.
“What is this for?”
“Medical expenses.”
“Why would you pay them?”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“Goodwill.”
“Before an investigation?”
“You’re unbelievable.”
Harris interrupted.
“Mr. Sterling, please.”
The panic in his voice was no longer subtle.
Elena noticed a folder half-covered beneath his hand.
Oak Creek Incident Resolution — A. Hart / M. Sterling.
Her daughter’s initials.
Max’s initials.
The document was dated that morning.
Before Ava’s arm was broken.
Elena’s eyes stopped on it.
Harris quickly moved another sheet over the title.
Richard saw her notice.
He stepped between Elena and the desk.
“Meeting’s over.”
Elena did not try to grab the folder.
She did something that frightened Richard more.
She took out her phone.
Not to call the police commissioner.
Not the prosecutor.
She called her judicial ethics counsel.
“My daughter is the victim in a school assault,” she said. “My former spouse’s child is involved. I need an immediate conflict screen and written recusal guidance before I take any action beyond being her parent.”
Richard stared.
He had expected power.
May you like
Elena gave him procedure.
That was harder to corrupt.
