“Your Honor,” Daniel continued, each word landing with more weight than the last… filling a space the attendees hadn’t known was empty until he stood in it, “the government’s attempt to retroactively claim authority over private intellectual property through executive order directly contradicts Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the Constitution.”

Juniper’s breath snagged mid-rise as she recognized Daniel’s strategy - he wasn’t just challenging Roma’s evidence, he was attacking the fundamental basis of federal oversight. Her fingers stilled on their exhibits as she watched the shift in power dynamics.

“Furthermore,” Daniel continued, “United States v. Juisys LLC specifically limited executive authority over systems to matters of…” his face went flat, eyes widening into something that couldn’t decide if it was serious or unhinged, “immediate national security… not underlying intellectual property rights.”

The stare he leveled at Roma dared anyone to flinch first. “Unless the defense is prepared to argue that Mr. Delaney’s code itself posed an imminent threat?”

Roma almost rose… weight shifting forward, hand finding the table… then caught himself before the motion could complete. His gaze slid sideways, recalculating something, before returning to Daniel with a look that had curdled into something close to contempt…

He recognized the trap. He’d been so focused on jurisdictional technicalities, he’d left himself open to constitutional challenge. Even Judge Donahue seemed to sit straighter, clearly intrigued by this new line of argument.

“Well presented, counselor,” Judge Donahue said after a moment’s consideration. “Mr. Roma, how do you respond to the constitutional question?”

But Roma’s usual quick wit seemed to desert him as he glanced between his meticulously prepared exhibits and Daniel’s unwavering gaze. The gallery’s whispers grew louder as they sensed the shifting tide of battle.

Roma’s grin returned with a warmth he directed toward the jury. “Actually, counselor, you’ve made my point more eloquently than I could have.” His speech dropped to that particular register that always made Juniper’s stomach clench. “The very code Mr. Delaney claims as intellectual property was directly responsible for unauthorized disclosures that put American lives at risk.”

Silence claimed the mezzanine as Roma’s implications sank in. Several jurors leaned forward, their expressions shifting from confusion to concern.

“One might argue we’re in danger right now,” Roma continued, his voice dropping to a register that had stopped performing. The lightness was gone. Several jurors’ hands found their armrests. A woman in the third row touched her throat without knowing why, her eyes drifting across the gallery… searching for something she didn’t quite want to find… before pulling her gaze back to her lap.