Denise whispered, “Oh God.”
Howard leaned toward her.
“Stop talking.”
The judge heard him.
“Mr. Parker, I suggest you follow your own advice.”
Silence fell.
Then she looked at me.
“Pending further review, Victoria will remain in Michael’s care.”
My knees nearly gave out.
I grabbed the edge of the table.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” the judge said. “This matter is not over.”
She turned toward Denise and Howard.
“All unsupervised visitation is suspended immediately.”
Denise’s face collapsed.
“What?”
“Until the court determines whether continued contact is in the child’s best interests.”
“But she’s my niece.”
“Then perhaps,” the judge replied, “you should have considered that before discussing her as though she were a financial asset.”
Howard’s attorney rose again.
“Your Honor—”
“Sit down.”
He did.
The judge looked toward the bailiff.
“And I want a copy of the photograph, the recording, and the trust document forwarded to the district attorney’s office.”
