Deputy Mark Jennings was waiting by the double glass doors, his leather duty belt squeaking as he shifted his weight.

“The magistrate is finishing a probate matter,” Mark said.

He hooked his thumbs into his belt and looked down the long hallway.

“Daniel’s attorney is already inside.”

A man in a dark gray suit walked out of the side office holding a blue paper folder.

He stopped three feet in front of us and opened the file.

“Mr.

Reed,” the lawyer said.