The heavy oak double doors of Hearing Room 4B clicked shut behind us at three minutes to nine.

Mariana sat beside me on the long wooden bench, checking her wristwatch twice before folding her hands over her purse.

Across the carpeted aisle, Teresa sat in a tailored black suit next to her attorney, Mr.

Vance.

Judge Elena Gomez shuffled a stack of blue manila folders on her bench and adjusted her wire-rimmed reading glasses.

“We’re opening the record on the emergency petition for temporary protective custody filed by Teresa Ramos,” Judge Gomez said.

Mr.