Page 81 of Dead Air
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Lawson's fingersmoved across her phone screen, attaching the video file to a message for Claire and Fiona. The recording of Monica's confrontation in that basement storage facility represented the breakthrough they'd been seeking for five years. Not just evidence of corruption, but a direct connection to whoever had orchestrated Monica's death.
"Sending this to Claire now." She typed a brief message that accompanied the video:Found Monica's insurance policy. Voice on recording sounds familiar but can't place it. Need your legal expertise to identify and analyze implications.
Parks leaned against the car's hood, his posture casual but his eyes constantly scanning the warehouse perimeter for any signs they'd been followed; professional vigilance never entirely abandoned despite the isolated location. The abandoned building loomed behind them like a weathered sentinel, its broken windows reflecting fragments of streetlight from the distant road.
"Whoever killed Monica knew about the evidence storage," he said, voice low despite the emptiness surrounding them. "Had to protect the basement operation. Too much incriminating material to leave exposed."
Lawson nodded, the same conclusion having formed in her mind minutes earlier. "Millions in drugs, weapons, financial records. The perfect blackmail material against half of Savannah's criminal organizations."
Her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Claire's number appeared on the screen, the attorney having obviously viewed the video immediately upon receiving it.
"Claire." Lawson answered, putting the call on speaker so Parks could participate.
Claire's voice carried sharp urgency without her usual measured legal cadence. "I'm watching the video now. The audio quality isn't perfect, but I recognize that voice."
"You can identify it?" Lawson straightened, adrenaline spiking through her system.
"Judge Elizabeth Byrd." No hesitation colored Claire's response. "I've argued cases before her for years. That cadence, that particular way she emphasizes certain words—that's definitely her voice."
Judge Byrd—the respected jurist who'd attempted to shut down Blackwell's podcast from the beginning. Who'd positioned herself as protecting ongoing investigations while actually protecting herself. The pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity.
"That makes sense." Lawson processed the implications rapidly. "She pushed for the injunction against Blackwell's podcast. Claimed it would interfere with active investigations."
"Because she knew exactly where the investigation was heading." Claire's typing clicked through the phone connection, her multitasking evident even remotely. "I'm pulling her case assignments now. Cross-referencing with Thomas Hutchinson's client list from the Bar Association database."
Parks moved closer, listening to the conversation while maintaining watch on their surroundings. His tactical awarenessnever wavered despite his evident interest in the developing theory. The warehouse district remained empty except for occasional traffic on the distant highway, headlights cutting brief paths before disappearing around distant corners.
"How many of Hutchinson's cases appeared before Byrd?" Lawson asked, already suspecting the answer.
"Still calculating the final numbers." More typing sounds echoed through the connection. "But preliminary count shows significant statistical anomaly. Far beyond probability for random assignment within the district."
"She was directing cases to herself." Lawson's voice hardened with certainty.
"Or manipulating the assignment system to ensure Hutchinson's clients received favorable treatment. As chief judge, she controls docket assignments for the entire district." Claire's legal experience provided immediate understanding of the procedural mechanisms involved. "She could ensure particular cases landed on her calendar without obvious interference."
Lawson climbed into her car, starting the engine while keeping Claire on speaker. Parks remained outside for another minute, completing his security check before joining her in the passenger seat. His presence provided tactical reassurance as she processed this new information.
"Judge Byrd killed Monica to protect her arrangement with Thomas Hutchinson." The pieces assembled themselves with crystalline clarity in Lawson's mind. "Monica discovered the judicial corruption. Threatened to expose everything. Byrd couldn't allow that to happen."
"Which explains why key evidence went missing after Monica's death." Claire's voice carried grim satisfaction at solving the puzzle. "Byrd had judicial authority to access anything related to ongoing investigations."
"Including the basement storage facility." Lawson connected the final dot.
"Exactly." Papers rustled as Claire organized her findings. "She could authorize evidence transfers, approve destruction orders, manipulate any aspect of case processing. Perfect position to control every element of the justice system."
Lawson's phone chimed with another notification. Dead Air podcast update. The live broadcast that had appeared earlier was continuing, apparently broadcasting from some unknown location.
"Claire, I need to check something. Blackwell's broadcasting again."
"How is that possible if she's with Thomas Hutchinson in Belize?"
"Not sure. I'll call you back."
Lawson ended the call and tapped the podcast notification. The video stream loaded after brief buffering, showing Blackwell seated in what appeared to be an empty room with white walls. No windows visible in the frame. No identifying features to indicate location. Her face showed distinct bruising around both eyes, discoloration suggesting injuries at least twenty-four hours old. Her movements seemed sluggish, hands occasionally wandering before being corrected, suggesting chemical sedation or exhaustion.
"My name is Leah Blackwell." Her voice carried none of its usual professional authority. Words slurred slightly, confirming drug influence. "I want to retract statements made during my previous podcast episodes regarding the Savannah Police Department and Detective Erin Lawson."
