For the first time that morning, Richard Vale stopped smiling.
It lasted less than a second.
Most people wouldn’t have noticed.
I did.
Because after six years of marriage, I knew every expression he tried to hide.
Especially fear.
His lead attorney immediately stood.
“Your Honor, Article Twelve is irrelevant.”
Miriam didn’t even look at him.
“Then I assume opposing counsel has no objection to reading it into the record.”
The courtroom became very quiet.
Judge Halpern adjusted his glasses.
“Proceed.”
Miriam opened a thick binder.
Not dramatically.
Not theatrically.
