And almost smiled.
Her parents were walking down the aisle.
Lawrence Harper moved with the calm authority of a man very comfortable in courtrooms.
Beside him, Liz Harper looked around with open curiosity.
They slid quietly into the last row.
Liz gave Eleanor a tiny wave.
Eleanor returned it with a quick smile.
Then she turned smoothly back to the witness.
“Now, Mr. Dalton,” she said coolly, “let’s talk about what you were drinking that night.”
Twenty minutes later, Reid rose.
“Your Honor, may I redirect?”
The judge nodded.
Reid approached the stand with easy confidence.
“Mr. Dalton,” he said pleasantly, “let’s make sure we’re being fair here.”
He paced slowly, hands resting lightly in his pockets.
“You did see the defendant that night.”
“Yes.”
“And you recognized him.”
“Yes.”
Reid nodded thoughtfully.
“Good.”
He turned toward the jury?—
Then glanced casually toward the back of the courtroom.
And stopped.
Lawrence Harper was watching him.
Calm. Observant.
Beside him, Liz Harper looked delighted.
For half a second, Reid looked genuinely stunned. His fingers tightened on the edge of the lectern.
Across the room, Eleanor saw it.
For one glorious second, she enjoyed it immensely.
