I hit ‘Y’.

“Contempt citation recorded. Fine: $500. Continue.”

A second chime.

The screen shifted. A sidebar appeared: “DEFENDANT DISPLAYS CONTEMPT. SANCTION? (Y/N)”

But Thorne was crying. And he wasn’t looking at the virtual judge anymore. He was looking at me . Through the screen. Through the code.

“Your Honor?” he said. His voice came through my laptop speakers, but it felt like he was in the room. “Is this a joke?”

Janet’s eyes widened. “Yes. I saw the envelope. He told me to log it as a ‘campaign donation’.”