The rain outside seemed to grow louder, washing against the high windows of the courtroom.

“Mr. Vance,” the judge said finally.

Vance stood up slowly.

He looked at Carter, then at the papers on his desk.

“Your Honor,” Vance said, his voice flat.

“We will need time to review these documents.”

“My clients deny these allegations.”

“They claim these documents have been manufactured or taken out of context.”

Judge Harrison looked at Vance over his glasses.

“Mr. Vance, your client’s accounts have just been frozen by the state banking commissioner.”

“This is not a matter of context.”

“This is a matter of documented financial transactions.”

The judge turned his attention back to the binder of the forensic audit.

“The court will take a brief recess,” Judge Harrison said.

“I want to examine these audit sheets in my chambers.”

“We will reconvene in thirty minutes.”

He stood up, and the bailiff called out for everyone to rise.

We stood as the judge walked through the door behind his bench.

As soon as the door clicked shut, the tension in the room broke.