Baron Bell went from quiet to still. His folded pudgy hands finally moved as he pushed his well-oiled chair back from his desk. “I don’t have to defend the way I represent my clients to you, Miss Fox. I have signed contracts from the Evanses and the Dawsons. They knew the moment they took custody of their babies that my services were over. If you like, I can have Harriet make you copies of the contracts. No judge in the land will go against my contracts. I can’t be held responsible for what happened to those two families. Motherhood is something I can’t pretend to understand, so I don’t try. That’s why I had the contracts drawn up.”

Lizzie was on her feet. “I know at least three judges who will rule against those particular contracts. Now, if there was just one contract, you might have a fighting chance. But two! That I know of at the moment. My instincts are telling me there are more, and if there are more, know this. I will find them. It isn’t necessary to give me copies. I have them right here.” Lizzie pointed to her briefcase. “Because I’m an ethical attorney, and in the interest of fairness, I’ll give you until the weekend to make restitution to the Evanses and the Dawsons. If that doesn’t happen, you can deal with the courts and the Post. If that were to happen, you might want to think about canceling your Christmas party at the White House. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. Don’t get up, Mr. Bell. I can see myself out.”

Bell’s voice was cold and brittle when he said, “You’ll never get away with this. I’ll fight to protect my good name till the end of time.”

“I will, too, Mr. Bell. Considering the difference in our ages, would you care to make a small wager on which of us will be left standing?”

Bell made no response, and Lizzie hadn’t expected one.