My father froze.
Patricia grabbed his arm.
Caldwell raised both hands. “Your Honor, I move to withdraw as counsel immediately.”
“Granted,” Judge Whitman said. “And you will preserve all communications with your former clients. Federal investigators may want them.”
Caldwell packed his briefcase so fast he dropped a pen.
He did not pick it up.
He left the table.
He left my parents.
He left Brittany.
He left them exactly where they had tried to leave me.
Alone.
Exposed.
Unprotected.
The judge looked at Jamal. “The court has reviewed sealed federal records indicating probable evidence of wire fraud, identity theft, forgery, perjury, obstruction, and attempted abuse of judicial process.”
Jamal’s voice cracked. “Your Honor, I need my lawyer.”
“You should have thought of that before using my courtroom as a laundering machine.”
The bailiff moved behind him.
The handcuffs came out.
The sound of steel sliding from leather was soft, but Brittany heard it.
