The room went silent.

Margaret blinked in confusion. “Judge? What are you talking about? She doesn’t even work.”
Chief Ruiz straightened immediately, removing his cap in respect. “Your Honor… are you injured?”
I kept my voice steady. “She assaulted me and attempted to remove my son from this secured facility. She also made a false accusation.”
The chief’s posture shifted completely.
“Ma’am,” he said to Margaret, “you have just committed assault and attempted kidnapping inside a protected medical wing.”
Her composure cracked. “That’s absurd. My son told me she works from home.”
“For security reasons,” I replied calmly, wiping blood from my lip, “I maintain a low public profile. I preside over federal criminal cases. Today, I happen to be the victim of one.”