“Case twenty-four, Sutton versus Sutton,” Judge Vance said, her voice ringing clear and flat off the plaster walls.

“Emergency petition for temporary custody and immediate protective injunctive relief.”

Trevor leaned over to his lawyer, a young man in a thin red tie, who got to his feet at once at the defense table.

“Your Honor, my client was served less than two hours ago,” the young lawyer said.

“We respectfully ask for a fourteen-day continuance so we can review these filings.”

“Your Honor, we filed an ex parte application based on serious child endangerment and fraudulent liens on real estate,” Douglas said, stepping up to the podium.