Attorney Cross stopped two feet from where Marcus had gotten to his feet, smoothing his silk tie with his thumb.

“We’ve got four minutes before the clerk calls the nine o’clock docket,” Cross said, his voice flat and practiced.

“Then make it fast,” Marcus said.

Cross leaned his shoulder against the polished brass handrail running along the courthouse wall.

“My client is willing to plead to a simple misdemeanor noise disturbance and pay a five-hundred-dollar administrative fine,” Cross said.

Patricia stepped forward, her heavy silver bangle clinking against her wristwatch.

“This is a private family matter, Rachel, and it belongs at home, not on a public court docket,” Patricia said.