Derek kept his boots planted square on the carpet.

Lena and Travis sat at the defense table across the center aisle.

Lena had on a dark black sweater pulled tight around her shoulders.

She stared at the blank yellow legal pad in front of her and spun her silver wedding band nervously on her middle finger.

Judge Vance looked down from the high wooden bench.

He adjusted his microphone and squared up a stack of blank forms.

The courtroom smelled of floor wax and old paper.