“No.”
“When did you discover that?”
“Three months ago.”
“How?”
I looked toward Melissa.
This time, Victor followed my eyes.
And suddenly he understood there was something happening in the courtroom that he had not anticipated.
His head turned slowly.
“Melissa?”
She remained still.
Grace said, “Your Honor, before answering that, I would like to call a witness.”
Gerald shot upright.
“What witness?”
Grace looked at him.
“Melissa Ward.”
Victor stood.
The entire room changed.
Melissa lifted her eyes.
For the first time all morning, she looked directly at Victor.
He stared at her.
“No.”
Judge Monroe said, “Mr. Hale, sit down.”
Victor did not hear her.
“What did you do?”
Melissa rose.
Her hands trembled.
Not much.
But enough.
Victor took one step away from the table.
The bailiff moved instantly.
“Sir.”
Victor stopped.
Melissa walked toward the witness stand.
Her heels clicked across the courtroom.
Each step seemed impossibly loud.
