"We don't have much time, Mr. Starling, so I'll be brief. By now, everyone knows what you did. They know that you reported what appeared to be a minor irregularity in some paperwork, and that it led to a major investigation and a slew of federal indictments. She looked around nervously. "It's the timing that interests me, though.
"The timing? Why?
"Because as far as I can tell, you knew about that error for months before reporting it. But instead of saying anything, you waited. She glanced towards the rapidly thinning crowd. "Care to tell me why?
This could get sticky. Does she already know, or is she just fishing? "Not really. Does this have something to do with the precedent you mentioned?
"It has everything to do with it. Were you aware of the Federal Court ruling about SandHill Realty that was handed down the day before you contacted the FBI?
"I'm afraid I don't read the Daily Realtor, or whatever it is that covers such things. Why do you ask?
This isn't going well. Damn. Where are those bailiffs when you need them?
She lowered her dark brown eyes seductively. "That case set the stage for what's about to happen. SandHill Realty finished a process that has been going on since just after the Civil War. Corporations are now no different from people. The distinction between natural persons and artificial ones was discarded by the judge.
I glanced back towards the courtroom. Finally. A bailiff. "So?
"Come on, Mr. Starling. You might have merely reported a minor error in Consolidated's books, but that error led directly to significant proof of negligence on the part of the company's manufacturing division. The fact that several people died as a result of that negligence means that the corporation could be tried for "
"Excuse me, Ma'am, the bailiff said. "This is a closed session, and Mr. Starling is required to be in attendance. You'll have to finish this later.
Whew. That was close. "Thank you.
I didn't look back, so I don't know if she came away from that encounter with any more proof than she had when we began. As the doors swung shut behind me, and I walked to my seat, I wondered if any of the megacorps that covertly ran the world realized what was about to happen.
None of them was likely to ever forgive SandHill's lawyers for winning that case. Not after Judge Clary hands down his verdict. Not after they realize that the penalty for murder in this state is death. Even if you're a corporation.
                                          ~ * ~
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