Chapter 16: The Rule Thrown Back

Sylvia's POV

The courtroom on Thursday was smaller than I had pictured, and it smelled of wet wool.

Russell sat at one table with two lawyers and a laptop.

I sat at the other with my attorney, and Gwen sat behind me in the first row with her arms crossed.

Calvin sat on the far bench with his folder on his knees.

He had not looked at me once since I came in.

Russell's lawyer stood first.

He played the video, a brief clip of my back against a desk, and a woman in the second row put her hand to her mouth.

"A trustee," the lawyer said, "who is also the beneficiary's lover. The trust is a forgery, Your Honor, and these two wrote it between them."

The judge was a gray woman with half glasses, and she did not look shocked.

"Mr. Penfield," she said. "Please come forward."

Calvin stood and walked to the stand.

He put his hand up for the oath, and I watched his fingers, and they were steady.

"On the night of the dinner at the beach house," the lawyer said. "What did you say to Mrs. Kincaid on the porch?"

"I told her to file on Monday at nine."

"And the reason?"

"I gave her none."

"You expect us to believe she filed on a date given by her husband's lawyer, with no explanation?"

"I expect you to ask her."

My attorney touched my arm, and I stood when the judge nodded.

I swore, and I sat in the box where Calvin had sat.

Russell's lawyer came toward me with his tie tucked in.

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