Rourke’s Badge
Chapter 10 - Rourke’s Badge
Rourke requested a private plea discussion.
Federal prosecutors refused secrecy.
His cooperation was recorded and filed under court supervision.
He admitted planting evidence in nine cases.
He admitted threatening witnesses.
He admitted that Vance ordered him to attack Rebecca, hoping she would retaliate badly enough to appear violent and unreliable.
“What if she had not defended herself?” an agent asked.
Rourke looked down.
“Then I was supposed to say she rushed me.”
The courthouse cameras had destroyed that plan.
Rourke claimed he followed orders because Vance controlled promotions, overtime, and internal investigations.
Rebecca listened from behind the glass.
She felt no sympathy.
Pressure explained fear.
It did not turn a raised fist into duty.
Rourke surrendered his badge, weapon, and department identification.
The badge landed on the interview table with less sound than Rebecca expected.
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For years, it had opened doors, silenced questions, and made juries trust him before he spoke.
Now it was only metal beside a confession.
