CH.36

The judge cleared his throat and his lips parted to announce the resumption of proceedings after a brief recess. But before a single word could escape into that weighted silence, the massive double doors at the back of the room burst open with a resounding bang that made the entire gallery jump in their seats.

All eyes swiveled towards the commotion as a squad of imposing men in crisp black suits stormed in like a well-trained SWAT team. They fanned out in a formidable line, their expressions hardened into identical masks of stern professionalism.

The murmurs morphed into a dull roar of shock and confusion as the crowd craned their necks, wondering just who these mysterious figures were and what crisis had prompted their arrival.

The answer came striding in right behind them with an aura of grace, power and undeniable authority that seemed to suck all the air from the room.

The man cut an impressive figure in an impeccably tailored suit that hugged the broad lines of his should