Douglas stood, buttoning his jacket. “Your Honor, we request a brief recess to review these materials.”

“You have ten minutes,” Judge Lawson said, and rapped her gavel once. “I suggest you use them wisely.”

Part 3 — The Hallway

The moment we reached the carpeted hallway, Barrett came at me, his voice low, disbelief where his composure had been. “What game are you playing, Loretta?”

“I brought the truth into the courtroom,” I said.

Paige hurried to his side. “Barrett, what does she mean, seventy-four percent?”

He ignored her and kept staring at me, which told Paige more than any answer could.