Chapter 4 - The Confrontation at the Nursery
“Step aside,” Natalie sneered at the federal agents guarding my door. “I have a lawful order signed by a Senior Family Court Judge. Katherine Ellis is incapacitated and deemed a danger to her newborns. I am taking my nephew home.”
The lead agent didn't flinch. “This room is under federal protective custody by order of the Department of Justice. State orders are stayed pending federal review.”
“This is absurd!” Natalie screamed, her facade cracking. “That woman stole my brother’s life! She’s crazy! She’s sitting in there right now talking about being a federal judge! She’s an unemployed lunatic!”
I pushed my wheelchair out of the suite myself, holding my IV pole with one hand and resting my feet firmly on the footrests. Brenda walked beside me, holding a thick leather briefcase.
“I’m right here, Natalie,” I said clearly. The hallway went dead silent.
Natalie turned, her face twisting into hatred. “Give me the boy, Katherine! You don't deserve him! You don't even have a real job to support him! My family built this city while you lived off Andrew’s sweat!”
“Your brother’s 'sweat' amounted to a sixty-thousand-dollar salary at a mid-tier firm that he spent entirely on illegal offshore sports betting,” I replied calmly, as several hospital visitors and staff pulled out their phones to record the scene. “I paid off his law school loans. I bought the house you drink wine in on weekends. And as for my job…”
Brenda stepped forward, unzipping the briefcase and pulling out a framed certificate featuring the Seal of the President of the United States and the United States Senate confirmation order.
“…I was appointed to the Federal Bench by the President four years ago. The reason your family never saw me in the news is because I preside over classified counter-narcotics and public corruption cases. Cases that include your father, Arthur Ellis.”
May you like
Natalie’s jaw dropped. She looked at the official seals, then at my cold, unwavering eyes.
“And as for this court order,” I continued, taking the paper from her trembling hands and tearing it clean in half, “Judge Robert Vance was arrested by federal marshals twenty minutes ago for accepting bribes from your father. Your paper isn't worth the trash can it’s about to land in.”
