“That is precisely why I am coming in with you.”

Samantha’s office occupied the quiet second floor of a charming historic building located near the county courthouse.

There were no massive mahogany bookshelves or intimidating portraits of famous judges hanging on the walls.

Instead, the cozy reception area was furnished with two plush armchairs, a healthy ficus tree, and a small glass bowl filled with wrapped peppermint candies.

Samantha emerged from an inner office just a few moments later.

She was a tall woman with elegant silver hair, wearing a comfortable navy blue cardigan instead of a formal business suit.