Judge, Jury, & Executioner

Chapter 22

"I didn't do it!" Cooke yelled from the interrogation room.

Maddox paced back and forth. She'd been under their noses the whole time. A traitor. Drake was the most distraught.

"I am a CCD Detective. I didn't do whatever it is you think I did!" Cooke yelled more.

Maddox looked through the glass and then saw Noah entering the room.

"Well, I have good news, and bad news," He said before glancing around the room and then his hand started twitching. He shook it and then Maddox nodded. "I checked Cooke's laptop. I found where the code originated and where she used said code. There's only one problem."

"What?" Reaves asked from behind them.

"She didn't sign the code. She's too smart for that. Unless, she wanted to get caught. Which is why, I think the Executioner is using her too."

"That's a good assumption. But she's still gonna have to answer to what she did. Starting with her ending these pleas that she's innocent," Drake barked.

"Let's talk to her, and just see what she has to say," Maddox replied.

Drake nodded reluctantly and then Maddox walked to the interrogation room door. Maddox wasn't sure why she trusted Noah as much as she did, but something told her he was the one they needed on their side.

She opened the door and stepped inside. Cooke looked relieved when she saw Maddox. Less relieved when she saw Drake. The two obviously had their issues, but Maddox was too busy trying to catch a killer.

"We have the proof that you hacked the TV and told London to kill Nathan Reaves. You can't deny it anymore," Maddox said after laying out photos of the code with her signature.

"Really? You think I'd be stupid enough to write a confession and sign my name?!" Cooke asked. "I spent six years a black hat hacker. Until I finally came to the police academy and turned my life around. I would not have been stupid enough to sign this!"

"It was you Emma! The proof is right in front of you!" Drake yelled slamming his hands down on the table.

Maddox's eyes grew big as she saw Drake more angry than she'd ever seen him. He was hurt more than anything though. Much like she was when she found out about Reaves doing an illegal background check on her with his hacker friend. Maddox glanced at the floor as she realized she wasn't mad at Reaves. She was hurt.

"Drake, I didn't do this. Okay, someone is framing me, to make it look like I did this-"

The door to the interrogation room flew open. McNaughton stood at the door. And he looked ticked.

"Detectives! Outside now," He said before slamming the door.

Maddox looked at Drake and then they walked out of the room. McNaughton's hands were clenched into fists and he had loosened his tie. He looked a bit more than ticked now.

"The judge just threw out the case in his office. Apparently the defense attorney made a play while I was gone and the Judge dismissed the case, with prejudice. This case is over. And you two are to blame!" He yelled at Maddox and Reaves before storming out.

Maddox looked at Reaves who glanced back. Then they saw Captain Doyle approaching.

"Nathan, I've been instructed to have you arrested for contempt. Basically, because you were a juror, and were helping Maddox, you ticked off McNaughton and he wanted you arrested," Doyle explained.

"Sir-"

"No, Maddox. I can't ignore an arrest report. Chances are you'll just have to spend the night in the holding cell. And tomorrow you can go home. All the other jurors will be allowed to go home now. I know this was not how any of us expected this to play out. But right now the Executioner probably got what he wanted. So, they shouldn't be in danger. In the mean time, Reaves I'll take you to the holding cell. You two finish up with Cooke."