Chapter 28 - The Judge's Empty Chair

"Get us another judge," Elias told Sonia.

"That's what I'm trying to do." Sonia was already reaching for her phone. "But an allegation isn't evidence. We need a reason the court can verify."

Luz pointed to the document's date. "These approvals were filed at 11:42 p.m. on a Sunday. The courthouse network was closed for maintenance. Rebecca told me that."

"Then who was logged in?" I asked.

Sonia's eyebrows lifted. She called a clerk she trusted in the neighboring county and requested an independent review of the digital case log. Then she asked me to describe every adult who'd come looking for us, including what they'd said. I was halfway through explaining the gasoline can when my throat closed.

"You can stop," Sonia said.

"If I stop, will they win?"

"No. Stopping to breathe isn't giving up."

We didn't go to the storage bay. Elias wanted to, but Sonia insisted someone with proper authority should preserve any evidence. For the first time all week, grown-ups disagreed about something without making me feel like the problem.

Greta met us again at a pediatric clinic. Milo drank his bottle, had a normal checkup, and rewarded the doctor by spitting up on her sleeve. The doctor laughed. I nearly cried from relief.

Then Sonia returned with news. A different judge had agreed to hear our urgent petition remotely. She had also obtained a temporary order preventing Bellwether officials from moving us until the safety claims could be reviewed.

"Not permanent," she warned. "And it doesn't mean every agency worker is corrupt. It means nobody should skip the process."

We waited in a borrowed office while Sonia arranged the hearing. "What did you mean when you said you used to work for Harlan?" I asked Elias.

He folded his arms. "I drove trucks for him. Later I ran security at his sites. He paid well. I didn't ask enough questions."

"Mom would have asked."

"I know. That's why I owe her more than groceries."

The clerk's computer chimed. Sonia opened the case record and froze.

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