Judge Sterling: You just signed your own death warrant, Amanda[cite: 1]!
Amanda: Chief Justice... Sterling?! What are you doing here?!
Judge Sterling: I am here to oversee my late son’s estate hearing! Security! Lock every entrance to this building immediately!
Amanda: Chief Justice, please! It was an accident! She slipped on her own heels! I tried to catch her!
Cora: She pushed me... Uncle Thomas, she pushed me on purpose...
Judge Sterling: I saw the whole thing with my own eyes from the doorway, you vile creature!
Four armed courthouse guards stormed through the grand archways, their heavy boots thundering against the marble floor as they surrounded the base and top of the staircase.
Guard 1: Sir! We called for an ambulance! They are three minutes out!
Judge Sterling: Get a trauma unit on the line right now! My daughter-in-law is carrying my only grandson!
Amanda: Chief Justice Sterling, you have to listen to me! Cora has been mentally unstable since Julian passed away! She was threatening me with that briefcase!
Judge Sterling: Shut your mouth, Amanda! Do not speak another word in my presence!
Amanda: I am the legal executor of Julian's estate! I have the signed court papers right here in my bag!
Judge Sterling: You have forged documents that you coerced my dying son to sign while he was heavily medicated in the intensive care unit!
Cora whimpered in pain, her hands gripping Thomas's sleeve tightly as another sharp cramp tore through her body. Blood continued to stain the light marble beneath her.
Cora: Thomas... it hurts so bad... I can't feel him moving...
Judge Sterling: Shh, save your breath, my dear. Look at me. Keep your eyes on me, Cora. You are safe now. I’m right here.
Cora: If anything happens to Julian's child...
Judge Sterling: Nothing is going to happen to him. I swear to you on my family's name, both of you will survive this, and the monster who did this will rot in a cell for the rest of her life.
Amanda took a cautious step backward toward the exit doors behind her, her knuckles turning white as she squeezed the handle of her leather briefcase.
Amanda: I need to speak to my defense lawyer. You can't detain me without a formal warrant!
Judge Sterling: I am the Chief Presiding Judge of this state circuit, Amanda! I don't need a warrant to detain a suspect who just committed attempted murder in my own courthouse!
Amanda: It wasn't attempted murder! You can't prove intent!
Judge Sterling: Look up at the ceiling, Amanda.
Amanda slowly raised her eyes to the corner of the vaulted marble ceiling. Situated right above the top stair landing was a high-definition, 4K security camera, its small red recording light blinking steadily in the bright daylight.
Judge Sterling: This hall was retrofitted with optical surveillance last month. Every single frame of you raising your hands and shoving my pregnant daughter-in-law down twenty stone steps is captured on a secure state server.
Amanda: No... no, that camera... that camera wasn't active yesterday!
Judge Sterling: It went live at six o'clock this morning. Your arrogant little display of violence was recorded from three different angles.
Amanda’s knees buckled slightly, her posture collapsing as the sheer weight of her mistake slammed into her. She clutched her briefcase to her chest like a shield, backing up until her spine hit the heavy oak doors.
Guard 2: Ma'am, do not move! Drop the briefcase and place your hands behind your head!
Amanda: Stay away from me! I have legal immunity as the corporate representative of Vance Global!
Judge Sterling: You have no immunity from crime, Amanda. Guards, strip her of that briefcase and place her under arrest!