“Do the right thing for your boy,” he said.

I stepped around him and opened my car door.

Brandon stood a few yards away near a large concrete planter full of yellow autumn mums.

He kept his hands shoved deep in his pockets, refusing to look in my direction.

“I’ll be in touch when my review is complete,” I said.

I lowered myself into the driver’s seat and pulled the heavy door shut.

The thick glass sealed out the sound of the valet calling for the next car.