The state is involved now.”

She opened her top desk drawer and took out a white business card.

She slid it across the scratched wooden desk until it touched my hand.

“Mark is a family lawyer who takes pro bono referrals from this ward,” Denise said.

“You need him.”

“I don’t have money for a long trial,” I said.

“I’m missing work just sitting here.”

“He works on contingency, and he’s expecting your call,” Denise said.