Greg did not look up, but his thumb kept counting against his knuckle.

Marcus stood up slowly, smoothing the front of his jacket.

“If it please the court, my client did not sign a deed to defeat creditors.

He was the target of unauthorized corporate actions taken while he was away on medical leave.”

Arthur leaned toward his attorney and whispered something into his ear, his expression flat and tight.

“We intend to show that the debts brought against the Whitman home are based on forged signatures,” Marcus added, sliding his first file folder across to the clerk.

Judge Thomas pulled the file toward him and opened the front flap.