Chapter 2 - The Dirty Signature
I picked up the heavy legal document from the cold metal counter.
My eyes scanned the dense paragraphs of legal jargon.
It was an ironclad order for involuntary psychiatric commitment and full forfeiture of asset management.
My heart stopped when I saw the signature at the bottom of the last page.
It was signed by Honorable Judge Thomas Sterling.
Judge Sterling was the exact same federal judge who signed all of my agency's high-level wiretap warrants.
"How did you get Judge Sterling to sign this garbage in twenty-four hours?" I asked coldly.
Priscilla just smiled and adjusted her expensive silk scarf.
"My family has very influential friends, Maya," she replied smoothly.
"Now hand him over to the orderlies so we can get him the professional help he desperately needs."
Two massive men in white medical uniforms suddenly stepped into the precinct.
They carried a heavy canvas straightjacket and looked directly at my father.
Officer Miller nervously placed his hand on his duty belt.
"Ma'am, I am legally obligated to enforce that court order," the officer stammered.
I pulled my father to his feet and positioned my body between him and the medical orderlies.
I reached under my jacket and unsnapped the retention strap on my service weapon.
"Nobody is taking my father anywhere," I stated with absolute authority.
"This document is part of an active federal conspiracy investigation."
Priscilla laughed out loud.
"You are completely delusional, Maya," she mocked.
I ignored her and keyed the emergency radio clipped to my belt.
"This is Special Agent Maya Lin requesting an immediate armed tactical extraction at the Marion County precinct," I barked into the mic.
The radio crackled with static for several agonizing seconds.
May you like
Then, a voice replied, but it wasn't the federal dispatch operator.
"Cancel your request, Agent Lin, and surrender your badge to the local authorities," my supervisor's voice echoed through the radio.
