Chapter 65 – War Preparation
March 10, 2014 – Monday – 6:08 AM
Pearson Hardman – Logan Moore's Office
The New York sky was still dark when Logan opened the main Sentinel case file on the firm's secure system. He had already trained his body at 5:00 AM, as usual. Now it was his mind that needed to be ready and cool.
The list of documents was extensive:
Reports of rigged bids;
Recordings of internal Sentinel meetings;
Financial connections to state political campaigns;
Contracts signed by public figures who should never have had a direct relationship with private security companies.
Logan took a deep breath, typed the first commands and organized the files as if he were organizing pieces on a chessboard.
At 6:17 AM, Rachel walked in with a cup of coffee and an expression that showed she already knew the day would be endless.
"They're retreating, Logan." Sentinel's lawyers sent a letter requesting "extrajudicial mediation," with absurd confidentiality clauses.
Logan took the letter. He read it quickly. He smiled sideways.
"They don't want a settlement. They want silence."
"Do you think they're scared?"
Logan closed the folder and stood up.
"Rachel… fear is the first sign that we're on the right track. Now they're just trying to buy time."
8:45 a.m. – Meeting with the legal team
The strategy room was full. Mike, Harvey, Rachel, Donna, two paralegals, and the compliance consultant hired exclusively for this case.
Logan led the presentation like a general in wartime.
"We have three lines of attack," he began, as he projected the documents.
"The first: show the direct link between Sentinel executives and the fraudulent bids.
"The second: unmask the money transfers as camouflaged political donations." — The third: to present the attempted silence as obstruction of justice.
Harvey raised his hand.
— We already know that three high-ranking officials from the Department of Public Safety are involved. And two of them have ties to state representatives.
Mike added:
— And what we found in the spreadsheets could pull the rug out from under at least one senator.
Rachel added:
— If we take this to court, the media will have a field day. It will be like pouring gasoline on a political fire.
Logan glared at everyone.
— So let's get ready for the smoke. We won't back down.
11:30 AM – Jessica Pearson's Office
Jessica was standing at the window when Logan walked in.
"I've had calls," she said. "Some were friendly. Others… not so much."
"Are they putting pressure on us?"
"A former federal prosecutor called to 'advise' that this case be resolved quietly. Another said the firm could lose clients if it goes ahead with it. They're using polite language. But they are threats."
Logan nodded, as if he had expected that.
"And what is your position?"
Jessica turned to him.
"Same as always. The truth goes with you, Logan. And so does the firm."
He was silent for a second.
"They're going to try to stop the trial. Any way they can. Including a court order to try to stop the proceedings before the initial hearing."
"Then we'll be ready for that," she said.
3:12 PM – Court Notice
Rachel arrived, out of breath.
"This just came in. A petition from the State Security Companies Association trying to stop the trial on the grounds of 'threat to public order and political impact.'"
Logan took the petition. He read it carefully. Silently.
Then he turned to Harvey.
"I want you and Mike with all the legal precedents that refute this type of maneuver. They're going to try to use the protection of economic stability as an argument." I need cases where this has been overturned.
Harvey nodded.
"I'll take it."
Rachel looked at him with concern.
"They're afraid of what's going to come out. This is getting… too big."
"Nothing is too big when you have the truth," Logan replied. "Just dangerous enough to test you."
6:40 PM – Logan's Office
The phone rang. Unknown number.
He answered.
"Logan Moore."
The voice on the other end was deep, slow, calculated.
"You can still avoid this. It's not personal. But there's a lot at stake. Things that even you don't understand."
"And who are you speaking for?"
"For those with real power. Tell your firm: you can choose between living well… or right."
The line went dead.
Logan was silent for a moment. Then he typed a message:
"Rachel, call a meeting with the team tomorrow at 7:00 AM. We will initiate the public defense line in case this case is tried to be blocked."
March 11 – 7:00 AM – Legal War Room
Everyone was there. Harvey, Mike, Rachel, Donna. Even Jessica.
Logan laid the contingency plan on the table.
"As of today, this is no longer just a legal case. It is a war of narratives. They will try to delegitimize the case. They will use the press. They will mobilize allies. We need to be ahead of the curve."
"What exactly do you want to do?" — Mike asked.
— Let's launch a public petition to protect the trial. Collect signatures from legal experts, civil society organizations, former prosecutors. And send them all to the judge. Let's show that blocking this process is not only illegal. It's unethical. And unpopular.
Jessica smiled, as if remembering why Logan was more than just a partner.
—And if they still try to overturn it?
Logan glared at everyone.
—Then we'll overturn whoever tries.
Chapter 66 – The Truth Room
March 18, 2014 – Tuesday – 7:48 AM
New York State Courthouse – Courtroom 304B
Snow still covered the corners of the sidewalks when Logan Moore stepped out of the firm's black van in front of the state courthouse. The air was cold, the sky was gray, and the murmur of the press was already gathering around the makeshift fences. Cameras, microphones, and reporters were whispering his name:
— "That's him."
— "Logan Moore. The lawyer the government fears and respects."
— "Will there be a bombshell today?"
Logan was accompanied by Rachel and Harvey. He wore a dark gray suit, a discreet burgundy tie, a calm expression, and impeccable posture. Each step he took through the entrance to the courthouse echoed on the marble floor as if he already knew what was coming.
The initial hearing for the case of New York State v. Sentinel Protection Group had officially begun.
08:03 – Courtroom
The assigned judge, the Hon. Frederick J. Alcott, was known for being stern but fair. A 62-year-old former constitutional law professor, his gray eyes saw more than they let on.
The prosecution was already seated led by Gabriela Telles, a prosecutor with an impeccable reputation who was now under political pressure for accepting the indictment.
On the other side, the attorneys from Sentinel, Branford & Ray, had a team of five and a tone of restrained arrogance. One of them, senior partner Marcus Ray, watched Logan with curiosity…and caution.
Jessica Pearson sat discreetly in the second row, next to Donna. Mike occupied a reserved seat with his tablet in hand, alert to any digital movement behind the scenes.
08:17 – Start
"The court is now in session," the clerk announced. "Case number 31214. State of New York v. Sentinel Protection Group."
Judge Alcott looked at the parties, then opened with an unexpected observation.
"Before we formally begin, I want to make it clear that this court has received four separate motions requesting a stay or dismissal of the proceedings for 'economic impact, contractual certainty, and institutional preservation.'"
He tapped his pen on the table.
"This is unusual. And to be blunt, I consider it to be thinly disguised attempts at institutional pressure."
The Sentinel attorneys shifted.
"Mr. Moore," the judge said, turning to Logan, "does the defense wish to comment on these motions?"
Logan stood calmly and walked to the center of the courtroom. His steps were slow, controlled. His voice was firm, without raising his voice.
"Your Honor, these motions have a single purpose: to prevent the truth from being heard. None of them dispute the facts. None of them present evidence of innocence. They all appeal to fear: fear of instability, of repercussions, of political discomfort. But justice was not made for comfort. It was made for truth."
Silence.
— If we are going to dismiss every case that is uncomfortable, then we have destroyed the very foundation of a legal system. What is at stake here is not just the behavior of a company. It is the behavior of a system that has forgotten that ethics are not optional.
The judge nodded. Speechless.
08:35 – The legal battle
Sentinel's attorney, Ms. Lina Dorn, stood up.
— Your Honor, the defense is not here to hide the truth, but to preserve order. Our company employs 9,000 people throughout the state. This lawsuit, if pursued, could result in layoffs, destabilization of contracts, and the collapse of essential services.
Logan waited his turn. When he stood up, he was direct.
— The order that needs to be preserved is not that of contracts. It is that of institutional conscience. Sentinel used political connections to win bids. He used public funds for private interests. And now he wants to use his stability as a shield.
He walked slowly, looking back at the judge.
"Your Honor, the worst thing this court can do is teach the guilty that, as long as they employ people, they can act however they want. That is institutional blackmail. And it must be rejected."
09:07 - Break
In the hallway of the courthouse, Harvey approached Logan, holding his cell phone.
"Look at this. A journalist from the "City Herald" received an anonymous message trying to plant a rumor that you had hidden interests in the case."
Logan took a deep breath.
"They are desperate."
"And that's a good thing?"
"That's predictable."
Rachel arrived next.
"One of the dismissal motions was written by a firm linked to a defense lobbyist."
Logan nodded.
"I want his name."
09:35 – Return to the courtroom
When the judge returned, his expression was darker. He brought with him a folder—documents he had just received from the State Security Council.
"Before I continue," he said, "I must inform you that this court has received an informal political opinion urging caution. Allegations that this case may 'affect strategic state relations.'"
He looked up.
"I wonder if we'll take this to a full trial. Mr. Moore, anything else?"
Logan stood up with the calm that only someone who has mastered his own time can have.
"Your Honor, I just want to say this: if strategic relationships depend on keeping crimes hidden, then they are alliances that were born broken. If institutions fear the light, it's because they carry more shadows than courage."
He walked to the defense bench and picked up a folder.
"Here are the records. The recordings. The undeclared donations. The manipulated clauses in the contracts. Not a single line here is political. All of it is legal."
He placed the folder on the judge's desk.
"We are not just prepared for this trial. We are here to ensure that it happens and that it is not buried by fear."
10:10 AM – Decision
The judge looked around the room for several long seconds. The tension was palpable. Finally, he said:
"This court denies the motions for a stay." And orders the case to proceed to a hearing on the merits. In 30 days.
Silence. Then murmurs.
Jessica closed her eyes for a second, as if exhaling air after holding it in for minutes. Rachel smiled discreetly. Mike shook his head in admiration.
Harvey murmured to Donna:
— He did it. Again.
10:30 AM – Leaving the courthouse
Outside, the reporters were already waiting.
— Dr. Moore, are you going to comment on the political pressures?
— Is there a risk of retaliation against the firm?
— Did you expect this kind of reaction from the system?
Logan stopped. He looked at the cameras calmly.
— When you seek the truth, it rarely comes with applause. But even so, it is worth every step.
And he continued.
12:00 PM – Pearson Hardman – Logan's Office
Back at the firm, Logan was silent, looking out the window at Manhattan. Jessica came in with a cup of coffee.
"You messed with the system, Logan."
"He needed to be shaken up."
She smiled.
"What now?"
Logan answered without taking his eyes off the city:
"Now… we put him on trial."
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