She produced a phone. Images were displayed on the courtroom screen.
Photos of FBI agents at Pier 76. Photos that appeared to show evidence tampering.
"These photos are fabricated," Agent Muñoz said, standing. "Your Honor—"
"Are they?" Viktor's lawyer smiled. "Ms. Vasquez has metadata, timestamps, geo-location data. All verifiable."
Judge Becker examined the evidence. Her expression grew more troubled.
"This is concerning. Agent Muñoz, do you have an explanation?"
"Your Honor, I need time to investigate these claims—"
"Time Mr. Kozlov has already spent in custody based on potentially fabricated evidence." Judge Becker looked at Rosa. "Ms. Vasquez, you're willing to testify under oath that you witnessed FBI agents planting evidence?"
"Yes, Your Honor. I have detailed reports of numerous instances of prosecutorial misconduct in the Monti investigation. Evidence tampering, illegal surveillance, falsified warrants. The arrest of Viktor Kozlov was just one instance in a pattern of FBI corruption."
The courtroom descended into chaos. Reporters scribbling. Lawyers arguing. Viktor sat calmly, watching it all unfold exactly as he'd planned.
Judge Becker banged her gavel repeatedly. "Order! I will have order!"
The room quieted. She looked at Agent Muñoz. "I'm deeply troubled by this testimony. Ms. Vasquez is a credible witness with FBI credentials."
"She could be lying, Your Honour. Viktor Kozlov has resources to—"
"To what? Convince an FBI agent to commit perjury? That's a serious accusation without proof." Judge Becker reviewed her notes. "Given the evidence presented, I have no choice. All charges against Viktor Kozlov are dismissed without prejudice pending an internal FBI investigation into these allegations of misconduct."
"Your Honor, please—" Agent Muñoz tried.
"My decision is final. Mr. Kozlov, you are free to go. Bailiff, remove his restraints."
The courtroom erupted again. Viktor's lawyers congratulated him. The bailiff unlocked his handcuffs.
Viktor stood, rubbed his wrists, and looked directly at Cesare.
That smile again. Victory. Pure and absolute.
I grabbed Cesare's hand. "We need to leave. Now."
But Cesare was staring at Rosa. "Twenty years she's been with us. The FBI turned her five years ago. Everything since then—every meeting, every conversation—she was reporting it all."
"Cesare, we can process that later. Right now we need to—"
Viktor was walking towards us. Freed, dangerous, and vindictive.
He stopped directly in front of us.
Courthouse security was nearby but couldn't stop him from speaking.
"Cesare. Paola. Lovely to see you both." His voice was silk and poison. "I hope you enjoyed the show."
"You won't get away with this," Cesare said, voice deadly quiet.
"I already have. I'm a free man. You, on the other hand..." Viktor's eyes dropped to my stomach.
I wasn't showing yet, but the way he looked—
Having someone tell him that I was pregnant to make him think we might not show today had been a mistake. Now he knew, and he was free to hunt me down.
