Shortly after Judge Jenkins arrived, Bill, Matt, and Bertie were politely requested to wait outside the office. Once the door was closed behind them, Philip pulled out his cell from the inside pocket of his jacket, turned it off and placed it on his desk. “I assume you heard everything Matt said?” He adjusted his position on his chair.

“Smart idea,” she acknowledged, nodding toward his phone. “And yes, I heard.” Sitting in one of the three smooth burgundy leather...