I wanted to signal none of those things.

I wanted them relaxed, expansive, certain — I wanted them to overreach, and people overreach most when they believe the other side is defenseless.

The empty chair beside me was bait, and my son and his wife and their expensive attorney had all swallowed it whole.

Chapter 5 — Everyone Stood

Then the judge entered, and everyone stood.

Judge Dorset Merrion adjusted his glasses, scanned the file, and looked toward me.