Daddy looks at Mr. Jones, hoping for a sign, then turns to us. Our eyes are misty. The ache inside takes over again. Nothing here that I can control. I squeeze Jamal’s hand.

I just want the prosecution to make this easy, but I look over at them and they appear stubborn as ever. This feels too familiar. Tasha touches my shoulder as I clutch the bench with my free hand. The thought overwhelms me. I’m paralyzed by the realization that if we don’t win today, time might run out before we can even make it to the Supreme Court.

The prosecutor stands to make his oral argument.

“Let me review it,” the judge says.

The prosecutor hesitates, then hands over his brief and argument. He remains standing, waiting.

“Sit.”

“Your Honor?”

“Sit.”

Murmurs take over the crowd. The edge in the judge’s voice is harsh. He hits his gavel, and the court is silent. Mr. Jones puts his hand on Daddy’s to calm him.

Daddy whispers to Mr. Jones, who shakes his head slowly. He doesn’t seem to know where this is going. I squeeze Jamal’s hand.

“We have reviewed a signed affidavit from a Sheriff Brighton,” the judge says. “An official report filed by two witnesses stating that Richard Brighton was in the vicinity at the time of the crime, found by Officer Beverly Ridges in a sealed evidence bag, that was not turned over to the defense at trial. We have a ballistics report from a gun owned by Richard Brighton that matches the gun used in the killings of Mark and Cathy Davidson, and we have reviewed DNA samples never tested during the trial that are a match for Richard Brighton. Witnesses who previously testified they saw Jackson Ridges and James Beaumont in town close to the time that the Davidsons were murdered now say they were pressured to make false statements. One witness is named outright as a known repeat witness for the police.”

“Your Honor—” the prosecutor begins.

The judge doesn’t even acknowledge him.

“The prosecution does not object to a review of the appeal and wrote a statement to support the case. But as I read the statement, there are no apologies to the court. To Mr. James Beaumont. No statement regarding the police’s and the prosecution’s tampering with evidence, with witnesses.”

The courtroom starts buzzing. We can feel the judge moving toward a decision that has already been carefully considered by the other judges. Judge Vandyne has been given authority to continue presiding without more review.

The judge sets down his papers and removes his glasses.

“Mr. James Beaumont, please stand.”

Daddy lifts his body up with help from Mr. Jones. I can tell he doesn’t know how to process what’s happening. It’s fear and hope all mixed into one body. I rub my thumb inside my palms to settle my nerves.