“The authorized signature on that transfer was Richard Bennett’s.”

A quiet gasp ran through the gallery.

I looked down at the next entry, prepared to read the names of the city officials who had received the payouts.

Just as I began to speak, the heavy doors at the back of the courtroom swung open with a loud bang.

A man in a dark suit walked quickly down the center aisle, holding a white envelope in his hand.

He approached the defense table and handed the envelope to Richard’s lawyer.

The lawyer opened it, read the paper inside, and immediately stood up.

“Your Honor,” the lawyer said, his voice urgent.

“An urgent matter has just arisen regarding the key witness.”

The judge frowned, looking over his spectacles at the defense table.

“State your business, Mr. Vance,” the judge said.

“We have just received certified medical records from the state psychiatric facility,” Vance said, holding up a sheet of paper.

“These records indicate that Claire Bennett was treated for severe delusional episodes during the period these ledgers were allegedly written.”