𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 92: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°

The courtroom reconvened after the thirty-minute recess, the air thick with anticipation.

Judge Harlan walked to the bench, with a face carved from granite. The earlier exhaustion had vanished, replaced by something colder—disgust, irritation.

He settled the file in front of him and the murmurs died instantly.

Everyone rose on their feet.

He wasted no time. “I have reviewed the submitted materials,” he began, voice controlled “including the contents of the flash drive.”

A silence fell and Breanna’s jaw tightened.

“Detective Stewart,” he said, tone turning lethal, “the conduct captured in those recordings is not merely unbecoming of an officer—it is a gross abuse of authority and a stain on this department.”

He paused, and the gallery stirred, uncertain what horrors the footage had revealed. Breanna's face drained of color, she gripped the table edge so hard her knuckles whitened.

The prosecutor shifted uncomfortably, already sensing the verdict tilting.

The judge’s gaze shifted to the extremity of the gallery and continued. “After reviewing the newly submitted evidence— including the witness's testimony and cross-examination which has raised credible questions about Detective Stewart's conduct —the court finds significant reasonable doubt in the prosecution's case regarding the murder of Willow Minnelli.”

He let the words sink in, then turned directly to Antonio, who remained seated, posture straight, eyes steady.

"Mr. Hunt, on the charge of first-degree murder in the death of Willow Minnelli, this court finds you not guilty."

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the gallery. Breanna shot to her feet—"Your Honor, this is—" but the gavel cracked like thunder. "Sit down, Detective, or you'll be held in contempt.”

The room erupted, cameras flashing and reporters squeaking to get a view.

The judge continued, voice firm “Due to prosecutorial misconduct and unlawful apprehension procedures, all charges against him are hereby dismissed.”

Mateo clapped once on the shoulder, a quiet victory.

"Furthermore, Stewart's... extracurricular associations will proceed to federal court,” He fixed her with a hard stare. "Detective Stewart, I spoke with your superiors and you are ordered to surrender your badge and firearm pending an internal affairs investigation.”

The words echoed, and frosty calmness overtook everyone, the same detective who had once strutted through the courtroom with dominance now stood exposed.

“Forgive me, Your Honor” Mateo rose smoothly. “In light of the misconduct and the defamatory accusations that nearly cost my client his freedom, we intend to file a formal defamation and malicious prosecution suit against Detective Stewart.”

“You sanctimonious—” Breanna whipped toward him, but her protests were drowned as two officers moved in. She glared daggers at Mateo and remained in place.

She maintained the stillness for a beat — then under obligation, she approached Antonio and unlocked the cuffs with a violent click.

Metal scraped his raw skin as she yanked them free. “You think you’ve won?” she hissed, low enough for only him to hear. “This isn’t over.”

Antonio didn’t blink. He simply rose from his seat, rolling a thumb on his wrist where the metal had bitten his skin open.

“Detective,” he said evenly, voice smooth as still water, “bruises won’t change the savour of defeat.”

The calm certainty in his tone ignited fresh fury in her eyes. Her nostrils flared, for a split second it seemed she might strike him but the two uniformed officers edged closer—not to shield Antonio, but to contain her.

The shift in power was unmistakable. As the gavel fell to dismiss the state proceedings, Antonio finally stood. His gaze swept the room and caught Liza Minnelli.

She offered a hollow sigh, a ghost of unreadable curse on her pale lips— before slipping toward the exit. Mateo leaned close to murmur something.

“Shall we, Mr. Hunt? Feds are already circling.”

With a low, grunted exhale, Antonio turned and got his legs moving. Grinch and Mateo fell in beside him, while Breanna remained rooted, stripped of authority and control.

—-

Grinch pushed open the double doors, and camera flashes exploded the moment Antonio stepped into the hallway.

“Mr. Hunt! Mr. Hunt!” the reporters surged instantly.

“Do you feel vindicated?”

“Was Detective Stewart targeting you personally?”

“Are you pressing charges?”

Antonio didn’t slow.

He continued like the chaos did not exist. Immaculate suit. Expression unreadable. Not a flicker of triumph nor a drop of anger. Just absolute control.

The crowd pressed until Mateo stepped slightly ahead of him, raising a calm hand.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began smoothly, voice carrying without strain, “Step back, my client will not be making a statement today.”

“Counselor! Is he hiding something? Did he sabotage the witness to embarrass Detective Stewart?”

Mateo’s eyes sharpened. “Let’s be precise. The court dismissed all charges due to procedural misconduct and unlawful apprehension. That is not sabotage. That is vindication.”

Another reporter pushed in. “Are you saying Detective Stewart is corrupt?”

“I am saying,” Mateo replied, voice cool “that a sworn officer who collaborates with known arms traffickers forfeits the moral authority to accuse anyone else of criminality.”

“Is it true you’re filing a defamation suit against Detective Stewart?”

Mateo nodded once. “We are preparing comprehensive claims for defamation and malicious prosecution. We will also request a full federal review of her conduct. Evidence will be submitted through proper legal channels— not trial by media.”

“Was she in acquaintance with him at some point, or is all this justice oriented?”

Mateo adjusted his cufflink. “We will not speculate on Detective Stewart’s motivations. What I will say is this — no citizen, regardless of reputation, deserves to be hunted outside the law.”

The lenses swung toward Antonio.

“Mr. Hunt!” someone yelled. “Do you feel like you escaped justice?”

That did it. Antonio stopped walking. Slowly, he turned, his gaze sweeping the pack.

“This conference is over.” Mateo stepped in again.

Grinch signaled the men in dark suits waiting nearby. They moved in, physically parting the crowd.

The three continued to the waiting SUV and slid inside. Doors slammed shut.

Inside the car, silence reigned. Antonio leaned back, closing his eyes for the first time in what felt like years.

Mateo loosened his tie slightly, while Grinch steered the wheel. In the rearview mirror, the courthouse shrank. The murder charge was dead.

For a long moment, no one spoke. Then— “The suspension humiliates her” Mateo said quietly. “I assure you Mr Hunt, the lawsuit will corner her.”

Antonio finally looked at him. “Find those bastards.”

Mateo’s brow lifted slightly. “Strategically, Detective Stewart won’t recover from today. She lost her badge today. Her career is over.”

Antonio shut his eyes, seemingly. Mateo continued.

“Forget Victor and Ceaser for now because that Casino video has erased all her credibility. The lawsuit will crush her financially and I will make sure Internal Affairs suspend her permanently..”

“I don’t care about her career.” Antonio’s voice was flat. “I just can't forgive treachery.”

Mateo folded his hands, jaw flexing once. “Okay. I’ll have them located.”

The car slowed at a zebra crossing, and Antonio looked out the window, people paced across the road, but by the traffic lamp post— was Liza Minnelli, shoulders hunched, looking small against the city.

The light turned green and Grinch accelerated. Neither he nor Mateo had noticed Liza.

They barely hit another kilometer when Antonio spoke, voice low.

“Stop the car.”

Grinch braked and glanced back. “Did you forget something?”

Antonio didn’t elaborate, he just stepped out and simply pulled at the driver's door, holding it open. “Get out.”

Mateo leaned forward, studying Antonio carefully. “You want to drive?”

Antonio’s eyes flicked to him at the back, “You too.”

The two men (Grinch & Mateo) exchanged a brief, puzzled glance before complying.

Antonio slid behind the wheel, slammed the door, and reversed sharply, tires chirping as he swung the SUV back toward they direction they came.