“Keep that folder with you until we get to the courtroom,” he said.

“Don’t leave it in the car.”

I slid it back into my tote and gripped the strap with both hands.

By two o’clock the afternoon sun had crept across Arthur’s desk.

Toby was wide awake, kicking in his carrier.

Arthur took a tin of peppermint drops out of his drawer and set one on the edge of the desk.

“Your father used to take two.”

“I just need one.” He smiled a little, then opened the folder with his cross-examination notes.