Cole rose smoothly. “Your Honor, Mr. Carter was an employee at NovaCore. Two weeks ago, a laptop vanished. Security shows no one entering or leaving after hours except the defendant. Ms. Collins, who supervised the area, confirms he had access. We seek damages.”
The judge turned to Daniel. “Mr. Carter, how do you plead?”
“Not guilty, Your Honor. I never took that laptop. I have a video that proves it wasn’t me. It shows Ms. Collins leaving with the equipment after hours. It’s on a USB drive.”
Daniel opened the briefcase, hands slick with sweat, and dug through papers, cables, discs. Nothing.
The silence thickened.
“I brought it,” he insisted. “I’m sure. It has to be here.”
“Do you have a digital backup? Any copy?” the judge asked.
“No, Your Honor. It’s the only copy—but it exists. I swear. I’m being set up.”
Cole smirked. “How convenient to ‘forget’ it.”
The judge raised a hand. “Enough. The court will recess. Mr. Carter, find that evidence. Without proof, your testimony is just words.”
When everyone left, Daniel stayed, feeling everything crumble. This was supposed to be the day he cleared his name.