Bell leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. “One day, that girl is going to get what’s coming to her.”

I wasn’t going to hold my breath. Lacey should’ve been hit by the Karma train a hundred times by now. But she always seemed to artfully dodge it.

There was movement at the side of the courtroom, and then a bailiff appeared. “All rise.”

Judge Moore strode in, his steps eating up the distance quickly. His gait was as no-nonsense as the rest of his persona. And I hoped that served me well. He called court into session. Soon, the lawyers were going back and forth in that language where I only recognized every fourth or fifth word.

Mr. Hotchkiss rose. “We have a last-minute witness.”

Crosby pushed to his feet. “Objection, Your Honor. I was not notified of any additional witnesses and have not had time to prepare for possible cross-examination.”

Grant turned and gave me a wink. The action had my stomach roiling. There was so much evil in his eyes. How had I missed it all those years ago?

Mr. Hotchkiss kept his face a mask of apology. “The witness just came forward this morning. I’ve barely had any time to prepare either. But I feel her testimony is vital to the case.”

Judge Moore’s gaze narrowed on Hotchkiss. “I’m not a fool, Mr. Hotchkiss. And I don’t appreciate these kinds of antics in my courtroom.”

“Your Honor—”

Judge Moore held up a hand. “Quiet until you’re called upon.” His gaze focused on a paper on his desk. “Who is the witness?”

“Janet Morgan, Kenna Morgan’s mother.”

Bell sucked in an audible breath, but I was stone. She’d warned me to give her what she wanted. Now, she was making good on her threats. And Grant had been the one to deal the blow he knew would be the most painful—to have my mother turn on me, yet again.

“Your Honor,” Crosby began. “Janet Morgan has not lived on the island for many years. She has had no contact with her daughter unless you count a scene yesterday where the sheriff was forced to remove her for public drunkenness.”

“Irrelevant,” Hotchkiss argued. “Ms. Morgan was distraught over her daughter’s cruelty towards her and some information she’d recently discovered.”

Judge Moore held up a hand and looked at Crosby. “How much time would you need to prepare for this witness?”

“It’s hard to say, Your Honor. At least a day or two.”

Moore nodded and turned to Hotchkiss. “You may call your witness now. But Mr. McCoy will have as long as he needs to prepare for cross.”

“Your Honor—” Hotchkiss started.

“That’s what you get for trying to manipulate my courtroom. Let that be a warning to you.”

“What does that mean?” Bell hissed in my ear.

“I have no idea.”