Reid cleared his throat, straightened slightly, and continued.
“So Mr. Dalton,” he said smoothly, as though nothing at all had happened, “you’re telling this jury you recognized the defendant immediately.”
The witness nodded.
“Yes sir.”
Reid resumed pacing slowly in front of the jury box, every inch the confident prosecutor again.
But Eleanor could still see the faint tension in his shoulders.
Good, she thought. Welcome to my morning.
Closing arguments turned into a quiet duel.
Eleanor went first.
Sharp. Controlled. Precise.
She walked the jury through the timeline with surgical efficiency, calmly dismantling the witness’s testimony piece by piece.
When she finished, she returned to her seat.
Reid leaned slightly toward her.
“Show off,” he murmured.
“You started it.”
Reid stood next.
Buttoned his jacket.
Walked slowly toward the jury.
And turned on the charm.
By the time he finished, half the jury looked convinced.
Eleanor leaned back in her chair.
Damn him.
He was good.
Court adjourned a few minutes later.
People began filing out of the courtroom.
Eleanor gathered her files when she heard a familiar voice.
“Ellie.”
She looked up.
Her parents were walking down the aisle.
Liz hugged her immediately.
