Cops Arrested Her At College Graduation — Then Her Father and 20 Marines Stood Up
Chapter 13
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Nia stepped directly between Hart and Jasmine, her own voice cutting through the booth with quiet steel: "Threats don't turn lies into truth, Dr. Hart."Hart's eyes blazed with fury as she realized her intimidation wasn't working: the evidence existed, had been preserved, and would reach the police supervisor regardless of what she threatened."You have no idea what you're doing to this institution," Hart said, backing toward the staircase. "To your own futures."She disappeared down the stairs, but not before pulling out her phone. Through the booth's window, they could see her making a call as she walked quickly toward the backstage area.Calvin watched Hart's retreating form with growing concern. "She's calling someone."Nia felt a chill run down her spine as she watched Hart speaking urgently into her phone near the backstage entrance. Whatever Hart was planning, it would be desperate and dangerous."Jasmine, how long do you need to finish securing those files?" Nia asked."Two more minutes," Jasmine replied, her fingers flying across the controls.Calvin kept his eyes fixed on Hart's distant figure. "She's not giving up. Whatever she's planning next, it's going to be worse than threats."Through the booth window, they watched Hart end her call and gesture toward the backstage corridor. Moments later, Mercer appeared, moving quickly toward Hart's position with his hand resting on his radio. Hart pointed directly toward the production booth."We need to find Cole now," Nia said, watching Hart and Mercer converging near the backstage entrance. "Before they coordinate their next move."Calvin nodded grimly. "Jasmine, are those files secure?""Copied to three separate drives," Jasmine confirmed, ejecting the final storage device and slipping it into her pocket. "The evidence is safe."They moved quickly down the narrow staircase from the production booth, Calvin leading despite the tension in his injured shoulder. The backstage corridor stretched ahead of them, dimly lit and lined with equipment cases. The main auditorium doors were visible at the far end, where several Marines had positioned themselves after hearing the earlier disturbance.They had made it halfway down the corridor when Mercer stepped out from behind a lighting control panel, blocking their path. His uniform was disheveled from the earlier struggles, his face flushed with barely contained rage."Stop right there," Mercer commanded, his hand moving to his radio. "Ms. Price, you're carrying stolen university property."Jasmine instinctively stepped back, clutching her phone containing the recorded evidence. "This is my personal device.""With unauthorized recordings of internal university communications," Mercer replied, extending his hand. "Hand it over. Now."Calvin immediately moved between Mercer and Jasmine, his military bearing commanding despite his injuries. "Officer, we need your supervisor present for any evidence collection."Mercer's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I don't take orders from civilians, old man. Step aside.""I'm requesting Sergeant Cole," Calvin said firmly, not moving from his position. "Standard procedure requires supervisory oversight."