We stepped out of the consultation room at twenty minutes to nine.

The marble floor of the high-ceilinged hallway was cold and damp, streaked with dirty gray tracks from winter boots.

Julian stood forty feet away by the elevator doors in a sharp navy blue suit and navy silk tie.

Clara Sterling stood beside him, her tailored winter coat thrown back over her shoulders to show off a cream silk blouse.

She tossed her head back and laughed sharply, a brittle sound that bounced off the high plaster walls.

Julian adjusted his tie with two fingers, his eyes following me as Martha and I walked toward the courtroom entrance.