I watched Leo’s yellow cardigan disappear around the marble corner at the end of the hall, his small gray shoes squeaking on the polished floor.

My heart felt heavy, but I kept my back straight on the wooden bench.

Martha Gable came out of the consultation room at the end of the hallway, her leather briefcase under her arm, tapping her yellow pad with an open fountain pen.

“Is the bank footage secured?” I asked as she sat down beside me.

“Samuel Reed has the certified disk in his pocket three rows back,” Martha whispered, leaning close so Julian’s attorney couldn’t hear.

“He’ll present it the moment Judge Norris opens the record.”