Margaret blinked, confused. “Judge? What are you talking about? She doesn’t even work.”
Chief Ruiz straightened immediately, removing his cap out of respect. “Your Honor… are you injured?”
I kept my voice calm. “She assaulted me and tried to take my son out of this secure facility. She also made a false accusation.”
The chief’s demeanor changed abruptly.
“Ma’am,” he said to Margaret, “you have just committed assault and attempted kidnapping in a secure medical wing.”
She lost her composure. “That’s absurd. My son told me she works from home.”
“For security reasons,” I replied calmly, wiping the blood from my lip, “I’m keeping quiet. I preside over federal criminal cases. Today, I just happen to be the victim.”
I met Ruiz’s gaze.
“Arrest her. I’m going to press charges.”
As the officers handcuffed her wrists, my husband, Andrew Whitmore, rushed into the room.
“What’s going on?” “
She tried to take Noah,” I said evenly. “She claims you gave your permission.”
Andrew hesitated for a moment, but that was enough.
“I don’t approve,” he said quickly. “I… I didn’t object. I thought we could discuss it.”
“Discuss giving up our son?” I asked.
“She’s my mother!”
“And they’re my children.”
