Chapter 3 The Courtroom Battle

The courtroom was Eve Bennett's battlefield, but today it felt like uncharted territory. She braced against the prosecutor's table, her fingers digging into the surface, grounding herself. Surrounding her, the room vibrated with tension, reporters clustering, the jury shifting uncomfortably in their seats, the buzz of the crowd settling in for what they knew would be just another celebrity trial.

But to Eve? This was war.

Luis Ortega, the man she had worked months to bring charges against, sat at the defense table. His dark eyes were hooded, his expression unreadable, but there was something about the way he was sitting-too loose, too confident, not at all like a man standing trial for several homicides.

She could only think of one reason for that unwarranted ease, he knew something she didn't... and that unsettled her.

At his side was his lawyer, Damien Valdez, a man as suave as the criminals he defended. Valdez rolled up his cuffs and leaned forward toward Ortega, speaking quietly something that made the man laugh.

Eve fought the urge to grind her teeth. She had to focus. This case was not just about Luis Ortega. It was about El Reino Oscuro. About dismantling the gang responsible for Luke's murder.

But last night changed everything. She hadn't slept upon discovering that Luke might have had something with Antonio Costa, the El Reino Oscuro kingpin.

She'd despised the gang for years, hungering for justice, revenge. Now, for the first time, she was uncertain.

Had Luke been keeping secrets from me? Had he been doing something more than I had ever imagined? Did I really know my husband after all?

The thought curled up in her gut, but she suppressed it. She didn't need distractions at this point. For now, she'd bring Ortega down.

---

Order was called by the bailiff, and the judge entered into the courtroom, a portly man with gray hair. "All rise."

Eve stood up, smoothing her blazer.

"Court is in session," intoned the judge, sitting. "The People versus Luis Ortega."

Eve took a breath. She rose.

"Your Honor, the State will present proof that the defendant, Luis Ortega, is not only a violent criminal but also a prime player in El Reino Oscuro, who coordinated shipments of drugs, laundered millions of dollars, and authorized multiple murders."

She let it sink before turning to the jury. "The defendant's actions have broken up families, eroded institutions, and put this great city at risk." She locked each juror in her gaze. Make them feel it.

"The evidence will show that Luis Ortega is not a victim of circumstance. He is a predator, and today, justice will be served."

She sat down.

Damien Valdez held his ground, buttoning his suit jacket before heading toward the jury with a loose smile. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began with a smooth voice. "The prosecution would like you to believe my client is a monster, a man deeply entangled in some criminal empire." He chuckled as if the very idea were preposterous. "What you will be seeing in this trial is not evidence of guilt, but conjectures. Speculation. A desperate attempt to link my client to crimes in which he played no part."

He flung his arms wide. "Luis Ortega is a businessman. A family man. Not a criminal mastermind."

Eve felt her stomach churn. The nerve.

Valdez sat down, smiling smugly to himself. The judge looked at Eve. "You may proceed."

-

Eve summoned her first witness, "Detective Samuel Rivera." She called out.

Sam walked to the stand with a steady stride. He had been with the Chicago PD for over a decade and had spent most of it chasing El Reino Oscuro. Eve approached. "Detective Rivera, how long have you been investigating Luis Ortega?"

"About three years," he replied, adjusting the microphone.

"And in that time, what have you found?"

"Ortega's one of the top guys in El Reino Oscuro. He handles money transfers, drug shipments, and arranges arms deals. We have video evidence placing him at a number of crime scenes."

Eve turned to the jury. "And in your expert estimation, is Luis Ortega an active member of this gang?"

Sam nodded. "Yes."

Valdez leapt up. "Objection. Speculation."

The judge sighed. "Sustained. Stick to facts, Detective."

Eve continued. "Detective Rivera, can you guarantee me that we have phone records putting Ortega in contact with El Reino Oscuro's highest-ranking members?"

"Yes."

"And do those records indicate conversations regarding criminality?"

"Yes."

Eve let that sit before stepping away. "No further questions."

Valdez rose slowly, adjusting his tie. "Detective Rivera, these phone records-do they contain direct orders from my client to commit crime?"

Sam hesitated. "No, but-"

"No more questions." Valdez settled into his seat, smiling.

Eve felt the tide turn. She needed something tangible.

-

After recess, Eve presented detailed financial records proving illegal activity linked to the defendant, Ortega. She was picking up steam-until the Valdez interrupted. "This evidence is inadmissible."

Eve's pulse quickened. What?

She rose. "Your Honor, these are records of direct links between the defendant and established criminal groups."

Valdez rose to his feet. "Your Honor, these records are from an unauthorized source. They are at best circumstantial and therefore must not be admitted."

What the hell is he talking about? Her mind raced.

The judge glanced over at Eve. "Unless you have a sworn witness who can authenticate these records, they are inadmissible."

Eve clenched her jaw. She knew this game. El Reino Oscuro had people everywhere. This judge wasn't simply ruling according to procedure. He was bought.

She slowly sat down, allowing the weight to settle upon her. This wasn't justice, this was a rigged game, and if she wasn't careful, she would lose.

-

After court, Eve wandered through the courthouse corridors in a haze. She had only one shot at putting Ortega away but the system had already started to turn against her. She needed a new play. She needed someone who would talk and wouldn't be intimidated by the cartel. Problem therein being that intimidation was their specialty.

She sensed it, though, as she emerged from the building, a presence, someone watching.

She turned, catching sight of a dark-hooded figure on the opposite side of the street. He disappeared into the crowd before she could take a step.

Her heart was racing, she was being followed, and she knew what that meant. They were hunting her.