Chapter 2 - The Physical Confrontation
Then Bradley Vance stood up.
My parents’ attorney was tall, perfectly groomed, and wrapped in a cloud of expensive cologne. He stepped directly between me and the witness stand, slowly looking me up and down like I was something unpleasant that had wandered in from the street.
“Your Honor,” he announced loudly, “this is nothing more than a ridiculous spectacle. She has brought weapons and military theatrics into a sacred custody hearing. It is an insult to this court.”
A few people whispered.
My father smiled wider.
Then Vance turned toward me.
He came closer than necessary, stopping inches from my face. His eyes dropped to my chest rig, and with a sarcastic little laugh, he reached out and tapped one polished finger against my ballistic plate.
“Take off the costume, little girl,” he said. “You’re in the real world now.”
That was his mistake.
My body moved before my thoughts caught up.
I caught his wrist, rotated it sharply into a controlled joint lock, and redirected his momentum toward the defense table. His expression changed from smug amusement to pure shock as I pinned him face-first against the polished wood.
Documents exploded across the table and fluttered onto the courtroom floor.
Gasps filled the room.
“Step back, counselor,” I said quietly.
My father shot to his feet.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he shouted.
My mother screamed my name.
Vance struggled beneath my grip, his face turning red with humiliation as everyone watched the powerful attorney who had mocked me seconds earlier realize he couldn’t move.
Then Judge Margaret Henderson slammed her gavel down.
The crack thundered through the courtroom.
“Lieutenant Commander Sterling!”
I released Vance immediately and stepped back.
May you like
The judge’s eyes locked onto mine.
“Explain yourself right now,” she ordered, “before I have you removed from this courtroom and personally make sure your commanding officers hear about what just happened.”
