Linda glared at me as she took her seat at the opposite table.

She leaned over to her attorney, a sharp-faced man in a gray suit, and whispered something.

The attorney nodded slowly without looking in my direction.

The bailiff called the court to order, his voice echoing off the high ceiling.

Judge Ramirez, a stern woman with grey hair pulled into a tight bun, took her place at the bench.

“We are here today regarding the petition for emergency temporary guardianship and financial oversight,” the judge said, looking over her glasses.

Linda’s attorney stood up immediately, adjusting his tie.

“Your Honor, my client seeks to protect her grandchildren from clear domestic neglect,” he said.

“Mr. Collins is frequently out of the country on international flights for days at a time.”

“His sister, Hannah, signed an agreement transferring guardianship of the children to him during her transition.”

“We have the signed consent document here, bearing Mr. Collins’s signature.”

He held up a piece of heavy cream paper for the judge to see.

Sarah stood up beside me, her voice calm and level.