Renee’s eyes softened, and she made a quick note on her paper.

“Mrs. Latham at the school told me Nolan has been quiet,” Renee said. “But his grades are steady.”

The heavy oak doors of the courtroom swung open, and Preston Carroway stepped out.

He did not look like a man who was about to lose a custody battle.

His suit was perfectly tailored, and his silver hair was combed back with precision.

He gestured to Sarah and me with a nod of his head.

“A word, Ms. Jenkins?” Carroway said, his voice echoing in the marble hallway.

Sarah walked over to him, and I followed a step behind her.

“My client wants to resolve this without involving Judge Harlan,” Carroway said, leaning against the brass handrail.

“Your client filed an emergency motion to take my client’s son,” Sarah said. “We are going inside.”

Carroway smiled, a slow, condescending stretch of his lips.

“We are willing to withdraw the motion,” Carroway said. “Under certain conditions.”

He reached into his leather folder and pulled out a single sheet of paper.