They introduced Eva to Tom, whose eyes lit up with pleasure at the news that Eva was willing to testify. “You’re certain about this, Mrs. Lewis?”

“I’m absolutely positive.”

“All right, then. Let’s see what the judge has to say.”

Court reconvened a short time later, and Tom asked for permission to approach the bench. The defense attorney accompanied him, and the three men conferred in whispers for several minutes.

The burger Owen had forced himself to eat at lunch sat in his stomach like a cinder block while he waited to hear what would happen. After what felt like an hour, the defense attorney returned to his seat to confer with Mark, who spun around to look at the gallery. When his gaze settled on Eva, he scowled, shook his head and said something else to his lawyer. Owen wished he could read lips. His father’s shoulders slowly but surely lost the stiffness Owen had always associated with his military bearing. He seemed to sag in on himself as the attorney watched and waited.

The courtroom was completely silent. In the hallway, Owen heard the unmistakable sound of Holden’s laughter. The joyful noise was a balm on the ache inside him as he waited to see what would happen.

After a fierce argument with his lawyer followed by an interminable period of silence, Mark nodded.

His attorney stood. “Your Honor, my client wishes to change his plea.”

“Approach,” the judge said.

Both attorneys walked to the bench to confer again with the judge.

Owen couldn’t seem to breathe.

Laura gripped his hand.

After the attorneys stepped back from the bench, the judge cleared his throat. “The defendant has agreed to plead guilty to all charges.”

The group around Owen erupted into cheers as the judge banged his gavel and called for order.

“The defendant will please rise.” One by one, he read the charges, and one by one, Mark pleaded guilty to each of them. The judge set sentencing for one month from today and advised Mark Lawry to use that time to get his affairs in order.

His father had admitted his guilt and was going to jail. Owen leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t seem to breathe. He couldn’t make himself believe it was actually over and neither he nor his mother had had to testify.

“O?” Laura said, her hand on his back. “Are you okay?”

He nodded because that was all he was capable of at the moment.

She gave him a little tug, encouraging him to lean on her, which he gladly did.

“I don’t understand,” she said softly. “Why would he plead guilty?”

“Because he’d rather go to jail than have the dirty laundry aired out in the press,” he said haltingly. “Eva Lewis cemented our case. We’ve known the Lewises for years. Her husband was one of my father’s subordinates.”