“Your Honor, my client was simply trying to offer voluntary financial help for his grandson’s ongoing medical care,” Vance said smoothly, though his voice had lost its easy rhythm.

“By demanding a false sworn affidavit in exchange for money?” Judge Alvarez asked, his tone dropping an octave.

“That’s a textbook prima facie case of felony bribery and witness tampering.”

“This whole proceeding is an improper ambush set up by a disgruntled county office worker who has no legal standing,” Vance insisted, raising his hand toward where I sat.

“Valerie is an uneducated clerk whose employment file is under formal disciplinary review.”

I stood up from the gallery bench, picked up my leather briefcase, and walked slowly down the center aisle toward the bench.