Page 23 of King’s Reckoning (Blind Jacks MC #5)

The documents hit Rowan's desk at exactly 3:17 AM—detailed legal filings that cast a shadow over their recent progress. She studied them under the harsh fluorescent lights of her office, analyzing details that made her stomach clench: corporate appeals in unexpected jurisdictions, legal maneuvers exploiting procedural loopholes, patterns that suggested a coordinated effort.

"How recent?"

she asked without looking up. The paper had that freshly printed warmth, the filings still carrying the faint scent of toner from hasty duplication.

"Two hours ago."

Cole's voice was grim as he gestured to specific sections with a weathered finger. His Devils cut bore fresh road dust, evidence of the hard riding he'd done to deliver this information personally.

"My legal contacts caught them filing these injunctions across multiple jurisdictions. But look who's coordinating the strategy."

Rowan's jaw tightened as she recognized Dr. Charles Beasley's signature—one of the expert witnesses they'd been protecting. One of the historians who had helped authenticate Elena's evidence. The timestamp showed the documents had been filed with his explicit authentication, his involvement clearly voluntary rather than coerced.

"Records confirm he went dark three days ago,"

Cole continued, spreading more legal filings across her desk.

"Disappeared during a scheduled academic conference at State University. We thought Blackwood's people might have pressured him, but..."

"But he went willingly,"

Rowan finished, seeing the pattern clearly now. The documents showed Beasley consulting with corporate attorneys, providing expert testimony that contradicted his previous statements, actively undermining the historical claims they'd been supporting.

"He's helping Blackwood's clients challenge the authenticity of the historical evidence. Starting fresh with a new legal strategy."

The implications hit hard. They'd focused so much on protecting witnesses from corporate intimidation, they'd never considered that some might voluntarily switch sides. Might choose to help suppress historical truths that should have been acknowledged.

"Get Barbara,"

Rowan ordered, already reaching for her secure phone—a specialized model with enhanced encryption for alliance leadership.

"And find Reed. He needs to see this too."

She paused, studying another document.

"And get me everything we have on Beasley's previous authentication work. There's something here we're missing."

Within thirty minutes, her office had been transformed into a strategy center. Barbara analyzed the legal filings, her expertise allowing her to identify potential weaknesses in Beasley's new claims. Reed coordinated with chapter legal teams, his voice steady as he directed resources to counter these unexpected challenges.

"The authentication challenges are precisely targeted,"

Barbara reported, showing detailed analysis of the legal strategy.

"Three distinct approaches that undermine key historical evidence. They're not just filing general objections. They're systematically attacking our strongest lines of evidence."

She pulled up more detailed analysis, comparing Beasley's current claims to his previous authentication work.

"His approach has completely changed. It's like he's using his intimate knowledge of our methodology to identify vulnerabilities."

"The jurisdictional selection is too deliberate,"

Reed added from where he studied legal maps spread across a side table. His fingers traced the pattern of filings, years of experience evident in how quickly he identified the strategy.

"Federal district courts with specific judicial appointments, state courts with historical precedents favorable to corporate interests... They've carefully chosen every battlefield."

"It's a coordinated campaign,"

King said from the doorway. He entered carrying fresh intelligence from other chapters—paper files rather than digital, harder to track or intercept.

"But not the standard legal challenge we're used to handling."

Rowan nodded slowly as pieces clicked into place.

"They're not trying to defeat us in any single case. They're creating a pattern of challenges across multiple jurisdictions. Establishing legal precedents that could eventually undermine all our historical evidence. They're playing the long game."

She moved to a larger wall display where Barbara had mapped all pending legal cases and authentication challenges.

"Look at the pattern. Each case we win is met with appeals in two more venues. They're testing our resources, learning how our legal strategy works."

"So what's our countermove?"

Cole asked. He'd stationed Devils members with legal backgrounds at key courthouses, monitoring developments and ready to respond to new filings. Their reports came in regularly through secure channels, documenting all legal maneuvers in the targeted jurisdictions.

Before she could answer, Barbara's analysis flagged new concerns.

"Authentication challenges just expanded. Whatever strategy they're implementing, they're now questioning the provenance of all the major historical documents. They're trying to create reasonable doubt about everything we've presented."

She pulled up side-by-side comparisons of legal arguments.

"But these challenges—they’re more sophisticated than anything we've seen before. Like they've refined their approach based on our previous responses."

Rowan's concern grew as she considered what this could mean for the historical justice they'd been working toward—how corporate interests could use procedural delays and jurisdictional complications to prevent legitimate land claims from being recognized. If they'd actually found a way to systematically undermine the authentication methodology...

"We need to consolidate our legal response,"

Reed said firmly.

"Coordinated filings across all jurisdictions, presenting a unified defense of the evidence we’ve authenticated."

He moved to Rowan's side, pointing out legal strategies they could employ.

"Multiple chapters supporting the same expert witnesses, consistent documentation standards, shared resources to ensure no case gets overwhelmed."

"Agreed."

Rowan studied the displays, mind racing through options.

"But we need to handle this carefully. Make it look like standard legal cooperation, not a coordinated alliance operation. Nothing that would draw attention to the depth of our organization."

"Already developing a framework,"

King offered. He pulled out documentation showing seemingly independent legal assistance between chapters.

"Normal cooperation between affected parties with shared interests. Nothing that would raise suspicions about the alliance's true extent."

Plans came together quickly as more leaders arrived. The command center hummed with focused energy as teams coordinated their legal responses through secure channels. Rowan moved between groups, checking details and ensuring everyone understood their roles in the counterstrategy.

"Academic support?"

she asked Barbara, who had organized a network of respected historians to defend the authentication methodology.

"Mobilizing,"

Barbara replied as she coordinated expert witnesses.

"I've contacted key academic institutions and historical societies. Creating a coalition of respected voices to verify our authentication protocols."

Her documentation showed multiple experts prepared to testify about the validity of the historical evidence.

"Legal teams report coordinated filing schedules have been established,"

Reed added from his station.

"Synchronized responses across all challenged jurisdictions. A united front."

Rowan studied the integrated strategy Barbara had developed, noting how the various academic and legal resources worked together to present a coherent defense. Another of Elena's innovations—using existing institutions and respected authorities to create sophisticated support networks that appeared completely normal to outside observers.

"What about Beasley himself?"

She focused on analysis of his recent statements.

"He knows our authentication methodology intimately. He'll have prepared specific challenges."

"Already developing counterarguments,"

Cole reported. He pulled up detailed responses addressing potential vulnerabilities.

"Standard academic approach on the surface—peer review, methodology validation, procedural verification. But with stronger supporting documentation than usual."

He highlighted specific authentication chains.

"Reinforced provenance verification that addresses every potential challenge."

"Like we anticipated his specific objections,"

Barbara confirmed. She compared the counterarguments to Beasley's known expertise.

"Which we have, given his previous work with us."

"Can we neutralize his credibility?"

The professor's fingers flew across keyboards as she analyzed options.

"Not directly. He has legitimate credentials and expertise. But we can contextualize his sudden reversal. Present evidence of his previous authentication work that directly contradicts his current position."

"Do it,"

Rowan ordered.

"Cole, get your legal teams into position. Reed, coordinate with King's Chosen resources. I want every jurisdiction covered before the next filing deadline."

"What about Beasley himself?"

King asked quietly.

"He knows too much about our authentication methodology, our legal strategy. We can't risk him continuing to undermine our cases."

Rowan nodded thoughtfully.

"Which is why we're not just responding to the legal challenges. We need to understand why he switched sides. Who approached him, what they offered, and especially what they threatened. This isn't just about discrediting him. It's about finding out exactly who's coordinating this new strategy."

The next hour was focused planning as teams prepared their responses. Rowan monitored their progress through Barbara's integrated tracking system, watching alliance resources move into place with practiced efficiency.

"Primary legal teams ready,"

Reed reported as dawn approached. His calm competence provided reassurance as chapters established their coordinated response.

"Supporting resources standing by in all targeted jurisdictions."

"Authentication defense documentation prepared,"

Barbara added. Her screens showed comprehensive verification chains protecting key evidence.

"We've reinforced every potential vulnerability he might target."

Rowan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. This was a significant test for the alliance, their chance to prove that Elena's careful preparation could withstand even challenges from insiders who understood their methodology.

"All teams, proceed according to the established timeline,"

she directed, watching as resources aligned across their secure network.

"Coordinate filings, expert testimony, and media response. Let's ensure the historical evidence receives proper consideration despite these challenges."

The legal counteroffensive unfolded with precision born of careful planning and coordination. Several teams submitted their responses all at once, working together to present a strong, unified defense of their authentication method that effectively tackled the challenges. Barbara's academic coalition provided powerful support, with respected historians defending the validity of the evidence.

"Initial responses filed,"

Cole reported through their secure channel.

"Moving to secondary jurisdictions."

Rowan monitored the progress through Barbara's tracking system as teams addressed each challenge methodically. Their efficiency was impressive—multiple chapters working together like they'd been doing this for years instead of months.

"Key federal filing completed,"

another team confirmed.

"Judge has agreed to review our authentication methods directly."

Barbara worked methodically to preserve the fragile pages, her expert hands treating each one like the historical treasure it was. Years of archaeological fieldwork and academic research had given her a unique skillset for handling delicate artifacts. Ace stood nearby, quietly organizing supporting documents as she worked, their partnership seamless after years together.

Barbara cut in suddenly.

"Beasley just appeared on a financial news network. He's making public statements about the historical evidence."

Before Rowan could respond, one of the screens in the command center switched to a news feed. There was Beasley, composed and professional in a crisp black suit as he addressed the camera.

"After further analysis of the documentation,"

he was saying.

"I've identified significant methodological concerns that call into question previous authentication conclusions. While these historical claims deserve careful consideration, the evidence supporting them requires more rigorous verification than initially provided."

"Legal response teams, activate media protocol three,"

Rowan directed, but she recognized this was a carefully planned move. Beasley was using his academic credibility to create public doubt about evidence he had previously verified himself.

Just as they were preparing to respond, Reed's phone buzzed with an incoming message. His expression shifted as he read it.

"What is it?"

Rowan asked, noting his sudden stillness.

"Anonymous tip,"

he said, handing her the phone.

"Apparently, Beasley's son works for a pharmaceutical company that just received approval for a major research facility. On land directly affected by our historical claims."

Understanding dawned as the pieces connected.

"They didn't bribe him or threaten him directly,"

Rowan realized.

"They offered his family something he couldn't refuse."

"Classic leverage,"

King agreed.

"The kind that doesn't look like obvious corruption but achieves the same result."

"Barbara."

Rowan turned to the professor.

"How quickly can you verify this connection? If we can document the conflict of interest..."

"Already on it,"

Barbara replied, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

"Corporate filings, property records, approval documentation... If there's a connection, we'll find it."

As the alliance mobilized to address this new dimension, Rowan felt a strange sense of clarity. This wasn't just about winning legal battles or protecting historical evidence. It was about understanding the human elements at play. The personal vulnerabilities that could be exploited, the pressure points that could turn allies into opponents.

"We need to adjust our strategy,"

she said, gathering the core leadership team.

"This goes beyond just legal arguments or authentication methods. It's about people—their motivations, their vulnerabilities, their reasons for making the choices they do."

As the sun rose over the clubhouse, Rowan laid out a more comprehensive approach—one that addressed not just the legal challenges, but the human factors behind them. One that recognized the need to protect not just the historical evidence, but the people who supported it.

The battle for truth continued, but with a deeper understanding of what they were really fighting for—and against.