“Where is Clerk Higgins?” Judge Miller asked, looking up at her bailiff.

“We are trying to locate him, Your Honor,” the bailiff replied. “He checked out sick at noon today.”

“Of course he did,” Nathan said quietly.

I stood up, my knees shaking so badly I had to lean against the table for support.

“Please,” I said, my voice cracking as I looked at the judge. “He’s going to take her. He has a plane waiting.”

Judge Miller looked down at me, her expression softening for a fraction of a second.

“Officer,” the judge said, turning her attention back to the uniform at the bar. “Has the aircraft been cleared for departure?”

“Ground control has placed a temporary hold at the request of airport security,” the officer said. “But the pilot is contesting it.”

“On what grounds?” the judge asked.

“He claims the passenger list is fully authorized and that they have a valid medical emergency in Nassau,” the officer replied.

Vanessa Hale suddenly stood up from the gallery.

Her designer heels clicked sharply against the floor as she took a step forward.