Judge Henderson glanced at the clock.

“We’re adjourned.”

She brought down the gavel.

The wood cracked against the block, and Ray sat silent at the defense table.

Cheryl reached Ray before the bailiff did, and he shrugged her hand off his shoulder.

The clerk called the next case before they’d cleared the table.

Ray walked out without looking my way.

His neck was red where he’d been rubbing it.