Step back, or you’ll be taken into custody.”

Richard rose from the bench, flicking a speck of dust off his wool trousers.

He looked at me, checked his watch, and gave a short, thin smile that never reached his eyes.

“It’s time for the hearing, Evelyn,” Richard said.

He bent down, gripped Ethan firmly by the elbow, and hauled him up off the wooden bench.

“Come along, son,” Richard said.

Ethan slipped a little on the slick marble floor.