Vega rises. “Yes,” he says. “At length.”
He starts with medication logs. Then original prescriptions. Then Teresa’s saved bottles. Then Dr. Salazar’s affidavit. Then the independent assessments proving intact cognition. Then the flash drive. Then the care contracts. Then the audio.
And finally, the security footage.
The judge watches it once. Then again.
A child lifted by the arm. A mother shoved to the floor. A nephew screaming for poor people to be thrown out. And your own voice, unmistakable, ordering him to put the child down.
Everything changes.
What began as family concern collapses into elder abuse, fraud, assault, and conspiracy in under twenty minutes.
Then the judge turns to you and asks gently whether you understand the proceedings.
You look directly at Mauricio when you answer.
“Better than he hoped.”
The courtroom inhales.
The petition is denied immediately. The matter is referred for criminal review.