Or perhaps, Robert continues calmly, you can explain these documented phone calls between your chambers and Senator Whitfield’s office that occurred immediately before critical environmental rulings. The judge’s face goes completely pale.
I want full immunity, he whispers. His attorney stands abruptly. My client is not making any further statements at this time.
Robert nods once to an aide, who slides a formal document across the table. Judge Harmon, this is official notice of a formal investigation by the United States Department of Justice. You are being placed on immediate administrative leave pending its completion.
You can’t simply do this, Judge Harmon whispers in disbelief. I’m not doing this to you. Your own actions over many years have brought us to this moment. Robert stands. The judicial ethics committee is convening an emergency session this very afternoon. I strongly suggest you begin preparing.
As Judge Harmon and his attorney leave the room in stunned silence, Robert turns back to Devon. Your project revealed something this department has long suspected but could never quite prove with hard evidence. Environmental injustice and judicial misconduct often travel hand in hand.
Devon looks down at his damaged but still functional project. I only ever wanted to help my neighborhood breathe cleaner air. And you will, Robert assures him. Your data is now an official part of a major federal environmental justice investigation.
Laura approaches Devon with a small smile. The environmental committee called again this morning. They want your full presentation tomorrow, this time with complete Justice Department protection.
By evening, news of Judge Harmon’s suspension spreads rapidly across every local and national outlet. Devon watches the coverage at home with both of his parents. Sources confirm the investigation began after Judge Harmon attempted to confiscate and destroy scientific evidence collected by a high school student, a reporter announces. The evidence allegedly showed environmental protection laws being selectively enforced in minority neighborhoods for years.
Devon’s mother turns toward her husband. How big is this situation going to become? Very large, Robert replies quietly. Senator Whitfield’s development companies have been exploiting these exact neighborhoods for years—buying property cheap after environmental violations made the areas undesirable, then flipping the same properties after selective and incomplete cleanups.
