“Your Honor, we have submitted the original, certified corporate charter of Whitaker Construction,” Henderson said.

He walked toward the bench, handing a document to the bailiff.

“My client is the founder and sole shareholder of the parent company.”

“He never resigned.”

“He never transferred his administrative rights.”

“The servers in question belong to the subsidiary company funded entirely by Whitaker Construction.”

“A man cannot steal documents from his own company, Your Honor.”

Judge Vance took the paper and read it in silence.

The only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Claire began to tap her manicured fingernails against the table.

The sharp click-click-click made my stomach tighten.

“Mr. Vance,” Judge Vance said, not looking up from the paper. “Is it your contention that Daniel Whitaker is not the legal owner of the parent company?”

Claire’s lawyer hesitated.

“No, Your Honor, but—”

“Then the motion to suppress is denied,” Judge Vance said, cutting him off.

She set the paper down with a firm snap.

“The court finds that Mr. Whitaker had every legal right to access these files.”