She wore a dark wool coat and her signature double strand of pearls.

Her hands were folded neatly in her lap, but her fingers were twitching.

She looked at me as I took my seat at the petitioner’s table.

Her eyes were cold, filled with a quiet, burning anger.

Callum sat at the respondent’s table, his hands flat on the polished mahogany.

Martin Voss, his chief defense attorney, was leaning in close, whispering in his ear.

Voss’s face was pale, his brow furrowed as he read a text on his tablet.

“Your Honor,” Voss said, suddenly standing up.

Judge Elaine Mallory looked down from the bench, her glasses sliding down her nose.

“Yes, Mr. Voss?” she asked, her voice dry.

“I must request a brief recess,” Voss said. “A matter of professional ethics has arisen.”

“We have been in recess for two hours, Mr. Voss,” Judge Mallory said.

“The court is prepared to rule on the emergency custody petition.”

“Your Honor,” Voss said, his voice cracking slightly. “My firm must withdraw as counsel for Mr. Prescott.”

The courtroom went completely silent, save for the rain beginning to tap against the glass.