Things with Ari had calmed down. He was still staying with me, but the plan was to find him a place. Harold Sheridan, Nesto’s business partner, was making noise about helping him with school and Easton had offered him a studio in our building for almost nothing. The lawyer he’d gotten for him was great and Ari seemed to be slowly getting out of the funk he’d been in after that mess with his uncle. The man had made no attempt to get in touch with him in the week since he’d been staying with me, which told me him getting out of there had been the right move.

I’d seen again and again how people had come out to take care of Ari. The community that Nesto had found here in Ithaca had supported Ari in every way he needed. Despite the issues in town, and there were many, this place had come through in a big way for one of its own. I also felt like I’d been a part of that effort, that I was already part of the tapestry here somehow. Like I could make a place for myself here.

I should’ve known that the warm and fuzzy feeling wouldn’t last long. While I was trying to get into the courthouse, I stopped in my tracks as the bailiff looked me up and down a few times while I tried not to suck my teeth.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“I’m here for the trial.” Polite, calm. I didn’t need to get heated.

He gave me another thorough once-over as I put my wallet and watch into a little bin on the conveyor belt. I was still not sure what was happening, because the guy was certainly interested in me. I was not looking for a reason to get mad today, so I kept it moving. When I got to the other side, he stared at me like he was going to say something, but at the last minute just waved me through.

When I started heading for the elevators he pointed to the marble staircase at the center of the courthouse. “Courtroom is on the second floor. I think they’re wrapping up.”

I thanked him and took the stairs. Once I found the courtroom I quietly walked to the back. It was a huge space with dizzyingly high ceilings, and still the air was crackling with tension.