Page 135 of The Fire We Make

“The defense has submitted documentation confirming that multiple pieces of evidence presented by Detective Harris cannot be verified independently.”

She glanced toward the prosecution.

“Conflicting timestamps. No corroborating officers besides his direct reports. No recorded chain of custody.”

Joy paused, letting each infraction sink in.

“Just his word. Which he’s not here to give us himself.”

Young stepped forward. “Your Honor, we can still proceed. There are other elements of the case⁠—”

“There are no elements of this case,” Joy said, cutting him off again, “that are not tainted by his involvement.”

She faced the judge fully, then.

“Your Honor, the foundation of this case is compromised.”

She hadn’t raised her voice. She hadn’t needed to, but her words rang out through the courtroom.

“There is no reliable evidence. No credible witness. And no way to proceed without violating the defendant’s right to due process. The defense moves to dismiss all charges.”

Thick silence settled over the courtroom once again aside from the frantic scribbling and typing from the court reporter and journalists present.

The judge looked from Joy to Elliot.

“Counselor?” he prompted.

Elliot hesitated, his silence saying everything.

“Um… Your honor, the state acknowledges complications in the integrity of the evidence,” he said carefully. “However, we request additional time to⁠—”

“To what?” Joy asked. “To reconstruct a case built on a missing man’s word?” she continued. “One currently under investigation for misconduct and clearly has an agenda against my client?”

“Simmer down Ms. Thibodeaux, you’ve made your case,” Ingals reprimanded her interruption.

She nodded in apology.

“Both of you approach. Thibodeaux, bring me this evidence.”

Joy nodded, rounding the table and approaching the bench. DA Young stood next to her, his anger radiating off of him.

Joy handed the evidence of her claims over to the judge and they stood in tense silence as he looked it over.

After a long pause, the judge flicked his eyes over to the DA then exhaled.

“Motion granted,” he gritted the words out like they physically pained him.

The evidence was so airtight that without testimony from Harris himself, ruling otherwise would have him under investigation next.

Joy locked eyes with him and she could see that he knew she knew it.

“All charges are dismissed.” The gavel struck sharp and final with his ruling.

A wave of murmurs broke through the courtroom.

Blue let out an exhale so heavy it was like he hadn’t breathed since he was arrested.

Ace grinned.