He took off his reading glasses, drew a white cloth from his pocket, and polished the lenses.

“Judge Patricia Vance is sitting in domestic relations room three B this week,” Douglas said.

“What sort of judge is she?” I asked.

“She has no patience at all for sloppy paperwork or emotional speeches,” Douglas said.

He set his briefcase on a marble bench and snapped the brass latches open.

“Our emergency ex parte filing asks for three immediate orders under rule sixty-five,” he said.

“Exclusive temporary use of your home, sole temporary legal custody of Sadie, and a total freeze on every marital account.”