Serena unclasped the heavy diamond bracelet from her wrist and set it on the wooden table in front of her attorney.

Julian stared at the desk, his mouth working silently while Samuel gathered our trial binders into his leather briefcase.

Judge Callahan brought the heavy wooden gavel down hard on the bench with a loud, final crack.

Samuel turned to me and snapped the brass latch of his briefcase closed.

“Folder six is still sealed in my office safe, Elena,” Samuel whispered.

He leaned closer to me as the court clerk began gathering the official transcripts from the desk.