She had spent years handling complex family litigation and knew the limits of what a criminal investigation could establish.

She did not bring rumors.

She brought a list of preserved sources and the questions each could answer.

A guest had recorded a short birthday video on her phone just before the cake was served.

In the background, near the edge of the frame, Harper could be seen stepping behind my chair and pulling it backward as I began to sit.

The phone jerked after the sound of the fall, but the camera continued recording for another eleven seconds.