“No,” I said, clearing my throat gently.

“The bank records and transaction logs speak for themselves.”

“If his defense lawyer requests a leniency statement for parole eligibility, will you sign one?” he asked.

“I won’t lie to help him, and I won’t ask the court to be cruel,” I said.

“Let the legal process proceed on the facts.”

“Understood,” Prosecutor Vance said.

“The bank fraud restitution order requires full asset forfeiture, including the return of store purchases.”

Serena had already handed the twenty-eight-thousand-dollar diamond bracelet over to the court receivers on Tuesday afternoon.