I had already told investigators exactly what I knew.

Vincent sat on the opposite side of the courtroom, flanked by counsel.

His expression was harder than the one he’d worn at Malcolm’s café.

When he noticed me, he gave a brief nod and did not approach.

In the hallway, Dennis’s lawyer asked through Leila whether I would consider a private conversation about “misunderstandings.” Leila declined.

There would be no informal meeting.

A woman waiting near the elevators introduced herself as Dennis’s sister.