“That device was deemed a security threat.”
“By you.”
“By the court.”
“Where is the incident report?”
He ignored the question.
I stepped forward before I could think better of it.
“Sir, why are you doing this?”
He looked at me for a long second.
Then he said, in front of all of us, “Because I can.”
It landed harder than shouting would have.
The guard looked down.
Laura’s fingers tightened around her legal pad.
Judge Harlan turned to the disposal-room window.
Then he nodded toward an officer near the back.
The door opened.
And through that narrow gap, I saw him go in.
Saw him walk to the table.
Saw him pick up a hammer.
I do not know whether Laura said something then.
I do not know whether the guard tried to usher us back.
Because all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears.
The hammer rose once.
Then the basement door slammed shut.
I think I made a sound.
Not a word.
Something lower.
Laura grabbed my arm hard.
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