He pulled away.
That was the first crack.
The second came thirty seconds later.
“Howard,” she hissed.
“Don’t.”
“You told me nobody saw you.”
The courtroom went completely silent.
Howard slowly turned toward her.
Denise realized what she had said.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
Even the judge seemed momentarily stunned.
Their attorney closed his eyes.
Howard’s face turned red.
“Shut up.”
Denise recoiled.
“Don’t tell me to shut up. You said—”
“Mrs. Parker,” her attorney interrupted sharply, “I strongly recommend that you stop speaking.”
But panic had taken over.
People like Denise were powerful when everything was controlled.
This wasn’t controlled anymore.
“You said you only went there to talk to Robert!”
My father’s name hit me like a punch.
Howard stood.
“I said shut up!”
The bailiff moved immediately.
“Sit down, sir.”
“You told me he threatened us!” Denise continued. “You said he was going to change the trust!”
