He hesitated.
“No.”
A murmur passed through the courtroom.
Clara looked down.
That single word arrived weeks too late.
On the fourth day, the Hamilton attorney introduced evidence suggesting Clara knew the approximate value of the necklace.
It sounded damaging.
The reporters scribbled furiously.
During recess, Clara’s hands began shaking.
“They’re going to win.”
Maya leaned toward her.
“No.”
“Everyone believes them.”
“Everyone believed them before they entered the room. That is different from proving their case.”
Clara looked across the courtroom.
Margaret was speaking quietly with her lawyers.
Adam sat alone.
Idan had not been allowed to attend.
Clara had not seen him since the day he came to her apartment.
The hearing resumed.
Then, halfway through the afternoon session, shouting erupted outside.
A bailiff turned.
The doors opened.
Idan ran inside.
