Judge Anderson walked to the chair behind her bench and sat down. “You may be seated.”

This would mark the fourth time that Lila would appear before Judge Anderson, the first being the Gray case—Lila’s very first court appearance. She liked Judge Anderson.

Lila had barely taken her seat when the judge called the Spencer case, so Lila took her place at the prosecutor’s table, standing beside Andi, who remained seated. Gavin Spencer sidestepped the other inmates to get out of the jury box and followed the bailiff, who directed him to a podium just ahead of the judge’s bench.

Judge Anderson asked Spencer to confirm his name for the record. He answered by saying, “My name isch Gavin Schpenscher.”

Something in those words sent a bullet through Lila’s chest, opening a hole that stole her breath away. Her world tilted, her face flushed hot, and her tongue turned to dust. White noise filled her ears, and her peripheral vision began to fade as though she were about to pass out. She didn’t understand what was happening.

Through the hum of her panic, she heard Judge Anderson say, “And for the State?” Lila tried to speak but nothing came out—no air, no sound, nothing. She looked at the judge, and then at Gavin Spencer, confused.

“For the State?” the judge repeated.

Lila put her hands on the table for balance.

“Ms. Nash, are you okay?” the judge asked.

Lila felt hands touch her shoulders as Andi stood up beside her, disappointment on her face. Lila sat down as Andi took over. Not much of what happened after that registered, other than Gavin telling the judge that he was okay with being held without bail.

Andi walked out of the courtroom after the hearing, leaving Lila alone at the table. She felt naked, everyone’s eyes fixed on her as she stood to leave. The weight of her embarrassment was made a thousand times worse when she saw Frank Dovey watching, a slight smile angled into his cheeks.

The sight of Dovey weakened Lila’s knees, but she took a step.

Ten.

Then another.

Nine.

She kept her focus straight ahead, counting down each step until she pushed the door open on the count of three.

Two.

The door closed behind her.

One.

Lila stopped and took a full breath, her first since that moment she heard Gavin Spencer speak.

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Gavin wanted to punch something. He would have torn the metal sink from the wall and flung it across his cell had it not been bolted and welded and immovable. His mouth went dry as he tried to swallow the anger that burned his throat. He needed to think.

It’s panic. Just keep your head—figure this out.