“Yes. I would like to engage your services,” I said, refusing to use the D word. Larissa took my phone and instructed Elle to download the pictures of the prescription bottles in Elliott’s office and the rolled-up hundred-dollar bill. I was going to have to pay her—money I didn’t have. I fished out credit cards and started laughing. “Do you take Visa or Mastercard?” She nodded. I gave her Elliott’s card because he boasted not only of a sterling credit rating but of the card’s astronomical limits. His credit card was accepted. If Lea was right, Elliott would know very soon what I was up to.

“Elizabeth, you know what we need to do. We need to go to the magistrate office. Then we need to go to court with the restraining order in order to freeze this son of a bitch’s assets. Find a favorable judge if you can. Maybe Sinclair.”

“I can’t go to court looking like this,” I said, looking at Elle.

“You can, and you will,” Larissa spoke.

“Are you going with me?” I asked Elle. When she hesitated, I realized my best friend was on the clock too. “No worries,” I said. She was texting. Elle grabbed her file, and we all hurried out. A van met us and took us to court.

Reggie was waiting for us. She hugged me and said, “You’re going to get through this. I promise.” I was so glad at this moment to have good girlfriends.

“You are the best,” I said and returned her hug while Larissa sat focused on her notes and phone, which buzzed.

“Good. We’ve got Sinclair. Let’s move.” For the next few hours, we were held hostage by the legal system in Manhattan. Reggie and I embraced occasionally while Larissa and Elle remained unflappable, getting the job done. I didn’t have time for tears.

When we left the courthouse, Larissa checked her watch. “Are you good? Do you need anything from me? If you do, email me. I’ll answer it as promptly as I can.” I had no doubt about that. I felt reassured for the first time in twenty-four hours.

I said, “I probably should check in at the restaurant.”

“Are you sure about that?” Reggie asked, worried. “I wouldn’t go near the restaurant. Go to Elle’s. You don’t know what Elliott is capable of once he finds out you froze the accounts and hired a lawyer. I’ll see you a little later.”