GIOVANNI LEANED BACK in his chair, guised under a mask of indifference. But Barry noticed the subtle twitch in his jaw, the clenched fists on the table. He wasn't as calm as he pretended to be.
"Let's get to the point." Barry said, sliding the first file across the table, "This is the evidence we have on your money laundering operations. Detailed transactions, offshore accounts."
Hale, Giovanni's lawyer, glanced at the file but didn't touch it.
"Detective, you know as well as I do that these things can be explained away. Business is complex, and sometimes—"
"Drug trafficking. We have recordings of your meetings, Antonio." Barry cut him off again, this time sliding a second file over, "Arrangements with suppliers, distribution channels. Your fingerprints are all over this."
Giovanni's facade cracked just a little. He leaned forward, eyes narrowing at Barry, "You think you've got me, don't you?"
Barry didn't respond directly. Instead, he opened a third file and pushed it toward Hale.
"Human trafficking. This is the one that will sink you. Video evidence, and financial records all point to your involvement. You're done."
Hale's confident demeanor faltered as he looked through the file, his face growing more serious with each page.
"Detective, y-you know my client is a powerful man. These charges won't stick without—"
"The charges will stick because the evidence is solid." Barry stood up, cutting him off mid sentence, "And we're not done yet. We have more witnesses ready to testify, more evidence that ties Giovanni to every crime he's been accused of."
"You think you're the hero here, Jestine?" Giovanni finally spoke, his voice low, "You think taking me down will change anything? There are always others ready to take my place."
"Maybe. But you're not a hydra." Barry leaned in, his voice equally cold, "You're going to face justice. You're going to prison, Giovanni. And I'm going to make sure you stay there for a long. . . long time."
Barry leans back, straightening himself as he flashes a grin. He turns nodding at Jon. As they make their way out, Jon looks over his shoulder.
"Good luck."
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••••••••
THE COURTROOM BUZZED with hushed conversations and the shuffling of papers. Every seat in the gallery was filled. At the front of the room, the judge sat behind an imposing bench, his expression stern and focused.
"Detective Jestine, can you describe the events leading up to the arrest of Antonio Giovanni?" Sarah Mitchell, their lawyer, asked.
