The bailiff at the side of the room stepped forward, his hand resting on his belt.

Grant sank back into his chair, his chest heaving as he stared at me with pure hatred.

“Furthermore,” the judge continued, “a mutual restraining order is now in effect.”

“Grant Whitmore and Evelyn Whitmore are barred from any contact with Emily Carter or Rosie Carter.”

“You are to remain at least five hundred feet away from them, their home, and the child’s school.”

Evelyn finally spoke, her voice shaking with quiet rage.

“This is ridiculous,” she said. “We built half the parks in this city.”

“Then you can enjoy them from five hundred feet away, Mrs. Whitmore,” Judge Vance said.

She gathered the signed papers and handed them to her clerk.

“Finally, given the nature of the financial documents submitted to this court today…”

“And the attempt to cross state lines with a minor…”

“I am referring this entire matter to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.”

“Federal prosecutors will determine if kidnapping and wire fraud charges are warranted.”

The room went completely still.