A murmur swept the public benches.

Barrett found his voice. “Your Honor, that document can’t possibly be correct after all these years.”

“This is an original corporate filing, certified by the state,” Judge Lawson replied. “Are you claiming a state document is fraudulent?”

Barrett glanced at Douglas, then at me. “She only signed those initial papers because we were married. The business had no actual value back then.”

The judge’s eyes sharpened. “So you acknowledge that this state document is genuine?”

The color left Barrett’s face.