Chapter 82 – The Invisible Thread
May 17, 2014 – Saturday – 7:10 AM
Federal Court – Courtroom 3C – Southern District of New York
The atmosphere inside the courtroom was different. More intense. It wasn't just the natural tension of a high-profile federal trial. It was something else. Something deeper. As if, that day, someone important was about to be exposed.
Logan Moore, entering with Rachel at his side, sensed the tension in the air. Just by observing the behavior of the officers in the courtroom, the whispers of the security guards, the rigid faces among the Atlas Guardian lawyers.
Jessica Pearson had already warned that morning:
"They're going to try to interfere. Today is the day this case stops being just about Atlas and starts touching Washington."
9:00 AM – The Government Connection
Logan called Sharon Beckett, a former Atlas Guardian employee responsible for internal control of contracts and accounting records, to the stand.
She was sober, direct, and knew the weight of what she was about to say.
"Mrs. Beckett, do you recognize these financial transfer statements?" Logan asked, projecting the documents on the screen.
"Yes. They're from 2012, referring to expenses classified as "tactical subcontracts."
"Can you explain what they were?"
"They were payments made to "outside consultants," with no clear identification, from a special account managed in Washington, D.C.
"Can you say who these accounts were linked to?"
Beckett hesitated. The judge allowed her to answer.
"Yes. They were linked to a satellite office of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), but the funds did not go through the formal DOD channel.
Logan then handed over another document:
"This is an internal Atlas email, with the following text: 'The completion instruction came by phone from the Langley line. Operation cleared. No formal trace." Can you confirm its authenticity?
"Yes. I filed that email myself. It was common practice."
Mutterings in the room. The judge banged his gavel.
"Order."
Logan continued:
"Can you indicate who authorized these payments?"
"There was a recurring name in the communications: 'Undersecretary R.'"
10:12 AM – Behind the Scenes in Washington, D.C.
In the Department of Defense building, the situation was heating up. Undersecretary Richard Callan's name had been indirectly mentioned and he was sitting in his office, pale.
His aide hurried in:
"Sir, the press is already calling. The White House wants clarification. The Congressional staff wants the list of JSOC subcontracts from the last five years."
Callan stood, adjusting his tie.
"He's doing this publicly. He's going all the way."
"Sir... if he's pressured, he could implicate us directly."
"Then stop him. Legally, politically, media-wise. I don't care. Stop."
11:00 AM – Attempted Court Intervention
Defense attorney Halvorsen stood.
"Your Honor, the prosecution is overstepping the scope of the trial. We're dealing with Atlas's conduct, not federal departments."
Logan replied firmly:
"Your Honor, the documents prove that Atlas was an instrument in a larger chain. Ignoring the mastermind is ignoring the mechanics of the crime."
Judge Matheson replied:
"Mr. Halvorsen, if the evidence is legitimate and connected to the case, it will be admitted. Truth, in this court, has no limits."
12:30 PM – Recess and Tension
In Logan's private office, Jessica Pearson arrived accompanied by two security guards.
"I've just been informed that members of Congress are demanding copies of the documents being displayed in court."
"That's good," Logan replied.
"It depends. One of the names mentioned today is linked to a senator's reelection campaign. I've already received two phone calls insinuating that we're 'destabilizing the system.'"
Harvey came in with another piece of news:
"A court order was attempted to be issued from Washington to seal parts of the proceedings. Matheson denied it, but it's a clear sign: they're panicking."
Rachel handed Logan a cell phone.
"Anonymous message. 'If you continue, you'll lose more than the case.' They sent it to the encrypted number."
Logan looked. Then put the phone away.
"Truth isn't negotiated out of fear."
2:00 PM – Technical Testimony: Operations Engineering
Logan called Victor Ramires, a former operational audit consultant and expert in tracking classified missions.
"Mr. Ramires, please tell us what you found when analyzing Atlas records cross-referenced with public and satellite data.
"We discovered a pattern of mission execution with digital signatures that matched clandestine military networks operated by private companies."
"Did you find any evidence of synchronization with federal agendas?"
"Yes. Almost all of the missions occurred within time windows aligned with classified meetings at the DOD and the National Security Council."
Logan walked slowly across the courtroom.
"Gentlemen of the jury, look at the picture: federal money, private contractors, unreported deaths, and institutional cover-ups.
"This isn't 'national security.' This is national negligence in tactical gear."
4:45 PM – Last moment of the day
The judge allowed one final consideration before closing.
Logan stood.
"For decades, many believed they could operate in the shadows. That no one would see. That the victims would remain silent. But now... they are speaking out."
"Because the truth doesn't need a rifle. It needs a voice. And now... it has one."
6:20 PM – Outside the Courthouse
The crowd applauded Logan from a distance as he left, protected by three security guards. Journalists shouted questions. He didn't answer. He simply held up the dossier for the cameras.
At Atlas headquarters, the boardroom was silent.
At the White House, emails were flying.
And in the heart of the country... the truth was beginning to burn.
Chapter 83 – The Moment of Weight
May 18, 2014 – Sunday – 6:48 AM
Pearson Hardman – Logan Moore's Office
The morning was gray. The city seemed in suspense, as if the sky were waiting to see what would happen on this fourth day of the trial. Logan stood, staring at the whiteboard. Above it, the lines connecting the top of the chain Atlas Guardian to the high-ranking names in Washington. All with evidence, reports, dates, and muted voices.
Rachel entered with a cup of coffee and a serious expression.
"Harvey just gave notice. The defense added a new witness to the list. Last minute. Matheson authorized it because of 'technical relevance.'"
Logan frowned.
"Who?"
"Retired General Bryce Garrison. Former JSOC operational commander. Never appeared in any of the preliminary investigations."
"This is a political move." Garrison is a legend. He can turn a room around with two well-chosen sentences.
Rachel nodded.
"And that's exactly what they're trying to do."
Logan picked up his suit. Adjusted his cuffs.
"Then let's see what he has to say."
9:04 AM – Federal Court – Courtroom 3C
The benches were full. There were congressmen in the galleries. Two former UN ambassadors. A Senate delegation in absolute silence at the back of the courtroom.
Judge Matheson banged his gavel.
"We resume the hearing. The defense has requested additional testimony. Granted. Please call the witness."
The doors opened. General Bryce Garrison entered impeccable dark suit, rigid expression, erect posture. The murmurs were quelled with a stern look from the judge.
Garrison took the witness stand. He swore to tell the truth.
General's Testimony
Clara Duran led.
"General Garrison, were you directly involved in structuring outsourced operational missions?"
"Yes. You oversaw the assignment of contracts for supplemental security in unstable areas."
"Can you tell us if any of the actions carried out by Atlas were considered illegal?"
"Within the tactical and strategic context we had, no."
"Even the actions that resulted in deaths?"
"In gray areas, decisions need to be made based on risk and time. There was no 'illegality.' There was necessity."
Clara walked away.
"No other questions."
Cross-Examination – Logan Moore
Logan stood and walked calmly to the center.
"General, do you claim that 'gray areas' justify lethal actions without a warrant, without due process, and without verification?"
"War doesn't wait for letterhead."
"But it waits for proof, General?"
"When there's time, yes." "So, in three separate situations, in three non-belligerent countries, with three unarmed civilians—you claim their deaths were... 'necessary'?"
"I claim the decision was tactical."
Logan stepped closer.
"Are you familiar with this document?" He held out a printed email.
Garrison took it. His face hardened for a moment.
"I can't comment."
"It's signed by you. 'DELTA-9 received voice mission confirmation. No tracking. Proceed." Is that your signature, General?
Silence.
"Yes."
"So you authorized an execution without evidence, under a code name, without any legal basis?"
"In the name of national security, yes."
Logan turned to the jury.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you just heard: the explicit acknowledgment that legality was sacrificed for expediency. No longer supposition. Now it's fact."
Defense Reaction – The Turnaround
Halvorsen stood quickly.
"Your Honor, in light of what has been revealed, we wish to file a motion to declare the case a real-time national security risk and request a temporary stay of the trial pending Supreme Court review."
Judge Matheson frowned.
"Mr. Halvorsen, this attempt was made previously and denied. Unless you have new grounds, your motion is denied."
Halvorsen smiled briefly.
"Actually, we do."
He held out a folder.
"Inside, classified documents released under special authorization from the Department of Defense, which indicate that one of the victims of the complaint may, in fact, have had ties to clandestine networks in the Middle East."
Silence in the room.
The judge reviewed the papers. Logan watched with a tense jaw.
The Riskiest Moment
Logan asked to review the document. The judge granted five minutes.
In the private room, Logan, Rachel, and Mariana stood in front of the pages.
"Is this real?" Rachel asked.
"The paper is," Mariana said. "But the sources are obscure. No signature, no stamp of veracity. They are raw, uncorroborated intelligence reports."
Logan sat down.
"They'll try to shift the focus. From holding the killer accountable... to justifying the death."
Jessica hurried in with Harvey.
"You need to decide," she said. "If you agree to confront this now, the trial might get sidetracked. If you ask for a delay, it might seem weak."
Logan took a deep breath.
"I won't delay. Not now."
Harvey nodded.
"Then go ahead... and get it over with."
Return to the Courtroom – Logan Imposes His Power
Logan returned to the center.
"Your Honor, the defense brought unauthenticated documents, without diplomatic seals, without confirmed sources, trying to convince this court that one of the victims deserved to die."
Logan turned to the jury.
"But justice isn't served by insinuation. It's served by proof. And the only proof here is that three unarmed men were killed without legal authorization. It doesn't matter what they assumed they were. What matters is what they were. Human."
The judge banged his gavel.
"Uncorroborated evidence will be disregarded for the purposes of procedural deviation."
Halvorsen sat down, defeated by a comma.
5:42 PM – Closing of the Penultimate Day
Court adjourned with Matheson declaring:
"Tomorrow, both sides will present their closing arguments. Then the jury will be instructed."
Outside, the crowd grew.
Inside, Logan descended the steps.
Rachel caught up with him.
"It was your riskiest moment."
Logan replied, without turning his head:
"It's always darkest before the truth comes out."
I created a "new story" here, where you can read the first chapter of my new stories that are already posted on my Patreon or are being posted little by little, 2 chapters per day, to read them in full, just go to my Patreon
[email protected]/SHADOWGHOST07
Just replace the @ with an a