Chapter 67 – On the Eve of the Storm
April 6, 2014 – Sunday – 6:32 AM
Pearson Hardman – Logan Moore's Office
The Manhattan dawn was breaking with orange hues, but inside the office on the 51st floor, the weather was different. Logan was already at his desk, as he had been for the past 28 days. He wore a white shirt folded at the elbows, a suit jacket on the back of his chair, a cup of black coffee beside him, and a glass wall with papers held together by magnets and crossed lines in red markers.
The final phase of preparation had begun.
The trial against the Sentinel Protection Group was scheduled for April 15th—less than ten days away. Logan's team was working around the clock. With each day, another layer of rot was revealed, and more voices began to echo from outside.
The media was now on board. Headlines circulated:
"The Sentinel Affair: Corruption or Political Strategy?" – The New York Times
"Can Logan Moore Change the Way We Do Private Security?" – Politico
"Defense Industry Faces Image Crisis With Historic Lawsuit" – The Atlantic
Rachel walked in with an electronic file open on a tablet.
"Update. Senator Manning has resigned temporarily from the Public Safety Committee. He didn't mention the case directly… but the resignation letter mentions "review of ethics priorities."
Logan nodded, showing no surprise.
"As expected. He knew it was in the report."
Rachel took a deep breath.
"It's amazing how much bigger this has become… than all of us."
Logan looked at the mural.
"Because it was never just about one company. It was about how we allowed profit to dictate morality."
8:20 a.m. – Strategic Meeting Room – 50th Floor
Logan was gathering his team. Around the table were Harvey, Rachel, Mike, Louis, Donna, two legal assistants, the public image consultant, and an administrative law specialist named Dean Laughton.
On the table were four folders, each with a step in the trial strategy:
Legal basis for fraudulent contracts
Direct political relations
Institutional obstruction
Criminal liability of senior management
Logan spoke clearly, his eyes on each member.
"They're going to try to discredit the witnesses. They've already tried to convince two of our informants to back down. One of them got a job offer in Chicago, with a salary three times higher. The other… had his car vandalized."
Harvey let out a soft "sons of a…" but fell silent.
"Our job," Logan continued, "is to shield the pieces. And make the argument so clear that even those who want to ignore it are forced to see it."
Mike intervened:
"The prosecution agreed to continue as co-authors of the case, but they're tense." They feel the political weight.
Logan nodded.
"That's why we're the structure. They have the name of the State. We have the facts."
11:50 AM – Hallways of the Federal Court of Justice
Jessica and Logan were meeting with an assistant judge not to discuss the case, but to request increased security on the court premises.
"We have signs that the hearing may be the target of protests, demonstrations or attempted riots," Jessica explained. "The press will be out in force. And our defendants have nothing to lose."
The judge sighed.
"It will be granted. But I hope you're ready for the noise. This trial has already become a symbol — either of justice or of persecution, depending on who you ask."
Logan calmly replied:
"Noise doesn't intimidate me. The silence of impunity does."
2:40 PM – Logan's Office
Rachel was holding two letters in her hands. One was printed on the letterhead of the National Association of Defense Contractors, the other a notice from a lobbying group.
"They're pushing for the media to cover the trial with an 'economic' bias. They're trying to spin the narrative into something like 'a company that's been politically persecuted, putting thousands of jobs at risk.'"
Logan took the letter. He read it silently.
"Then let them talk. While they tell stories, we show them numbers. Facts. Contracts. Recordings."
Rachel smiled, despite the tension.
"You always seem… calm."
"It's not calm. It's discipline."
6:12 p.m. – Witness Room
Logan and Harvey were talking to one of the most important witnesses: Elliot Wexler, the former general counsel of Sentinel, who decided to cooperate after seeing colleagues up to their necks in bribery.
"You understand that when you testify, your career changes. You may not get another job in public companies."
"I understand," Wexler said. — But after what I saw… I can't sleep peacefully anymore. I've hidden contracts. I've approved clauses with the direct order to "cover up." I can't keep quiet anymore.
Harvey nodded.
— They're going to attack you. They're going to try to say you're doing this for revenge.
— Then let them say it. I've prepared myself.
Logan held out his hand.
— You're doing the right thing. And you'll have our protection.
8:50 PM – Logan's Apartment
Night fell in Manhattan. Logan sat alone in his quiet living room, with his files arranged on a side table. One black folder in particular stood apart—labeled:
"Sentinel – Closing Defense / Opening Address."
He opened it. There was the draft of his opening statement in court. A text precisely constructed, but still alive, waiting for the right moment to be voiced.
He read quietly:
"This is not a war on corporations. Or on contracts. It is a war on the idea that power comes without consequence. Sentinel is no exception. It is a reflection of a system that, for too long, has seen itself as above the law."
Logan closed the folder.
He looked out the window.
And he knew: the city was watching. The country was watching. And he was ready.
Chapter 68 – In the Eye of Truth
April 15, 2014 – Tuesday – 8:15 AM
New York State Courthouse – Courtroom 2E
The courtroom was packed. More than just journalists, lawyers, and court officials. There was a presence silent and dense — of history. A trial that was already dividing opinions in the newspapers, in the political corridors, and on the city streets. Outside, protests. Posters. Cameras. Inside, tension.
Logan Moore entered the room as if he knew every inch of that floor. Black suit, gray tie, serene expression. He carried with him not only files, but consistency. His reputation came before him.
By his side, Rachel carried the final files. Mike occupied the row reserved for the support team. Harvey and Donna were present as silent allies. Jessica watched from the last row. The weight of her support was visible, even if she said little.
At the front, the attorneys for Sentinel Protection Group, led by Marcus Ray, wore forced smiles and restrained arrogance. They came armed with words, but Logan knew that the truth can cut through even the most expensive eloquence.
08:27 – Session Starts
Judge Frederick J. Alcott entered and took his seat. The room rose, hushing even the air.
"We are gathered here in the case of State of New York v. Sentinel Protection Group, in a formal indictment for contract fraud, public corruption, misuse of resources, and institutional obstruction."
The judge looked at the parties. The anticipation was sharp.
"Mr. Moore, as the prosecution's representative, do you wish to present your opening?"
Logan stood up with a calm movement. He walked to the center of the room. He adjusted his microphone. And then… he spoke.
Logan Moore's Opening Remarks
"Your Honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury."
His voice was clear. Steady. Unhurried.
"What we have before us is not just a case against a company. It is not just a series of contracts. This case is about the line between power and integrity."
He looked at the jurors, one by one.
"Sentinel Protection Group, a company that presents itself as a guardian of public safety, rigged bids. Funded political campaigns disguised as donations. Replaced merit with influence."
"And why?"
Pause.
"Because they could. Because they believed no one would have the courage to raise their hand and say, 'Enough is enough.'"
Logan placed his hand on one of the folders.
"We have evidence. We have witnesses. We have contracts that scream fraud in every clause. But most of all, we have something this company has forgotten: we have the truth."
He stepped back, looked at the defense, and then concluded:
"And at the end of this trial, you will have no doubts. Not just about what was done. But about who allowed it. And why."
Total silence. Not a cough. Not a sigh. Just the feeling that something important had just happened.
10:12 AM – First Testimony: Elliot Wexler
The former legal director of Sentinel sat on the witness stand, tense but resolute. Logan walked over to him, handing him a sheet of paper.
"Do you recognize this contract?"
"Yes. It's the bidding for the surveillance system for the Central Subway."
"And this clause here, with its ambiguous language and room for financial amendments without oversight?"
"I was instructed to write it this way."
"By whom?"
"By the vice president of contracts. Under orders from the CEO."
"Did Sentinel know it was committing fraud?"
"It did. It disguised itself with bureaucracy."
Marcus Ray stood up for cross-examination, aggressive.
— Mr. Wexler, you are here as part of a plea bargain, correct?
— Yes.
— So your motivation is to save yourself.
— My motivation is to be able to sleep without fear.
Silence. The jury took notes. Logan just watched. He knew that raw honesty was a powerful weapon.
1:25 p.m. – Testimony: Sentinel IT technician
— Can you confirm that the data change logs were manipulated?
— Yes. I was instructed to change dates and mask administrative access.
— Who gave you that order?
— Carter Lynch. And the legal department signed off on the cleanup as a "technical adjustment."
Rachel, behind the scenes, gripped her pen tightly. Logan's plan was working: not only to expose the crimes, but the mechanisms of silence that sustained them.
2:40 p.m. – Break for a break
In the defense corridor, Logan was intercepted by a man in a dark suit and a gold watch, who approached as if delivering a warning.
"Logan Moore," the man said, leaning shoulder to shoulder, "do you know what happens to people who poke too deep?"
Logan turned slowly, facing him head on.
"She usually finds what no one else has the courage to look at."
The man smiled at the corner of his mouth.
"Sometimes what you find… doesn't want to be released."
Logan approached, spoke softly:
"Tell me where to buy the cheapest ammunition. I need to refill my Glock after this trial."
The man froze. He hadn't expected that.
Logan took two steps forward, without looking back.
"If you're going to come... come in one piece. Because I don't miss two shots.
4:10 p.m. – Return to the courtroom
The atmosphere was different. More intense. The judge noticed, but didn't comment. He knew that things were happening behind the scenes. And he knew that Logan was no longer just a lawyer. He was a symbol.
4:25 p.m. – Final attack by the defense
Marcus Ray, trying his last resort, presented a "specialist" in public contracts to relativize the terms.
Logan asked permission to conduct a cross-examination.
— Mr. Daniels, how many contracts have you drafted with addendum clauses without a deadline?
— I don't remember exactly…
— And how many of those resulted in extra payments without any performance?
— I don't have that number either.
— So, tell me… why do you present yourself here as an expert, if you don't know the effects of the terms you sign?
The man stammered.
Logan raised his voice, for the first time in the trial.
— Your specialty is the same one that allowed Sentinel to steal in silence. The specialty of omission.
The jury reacted. The judge did not intervene.
Ray lowered his eyes.
6:02 p.m. – Closing of the first day
The judge thanked the parties. He adjourned until the next day.
Logan gathered his papers and straightened his tie. As he left, he heard a reporter whisper:
— This man is going to make history.
And without looking, Logan replied:
— We are already doing it.
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