“You may call your first witness, counselor,” the judge said to Xavier the next day in the courthouse. It was the first day of the trial and Xavier was ready. Although he and Kira had spent the weekend together, he had gone over his notes and research. He was ready.

“For my first witness, I'd like to call Ms. Cynthia Chaisen to the stand,” Xavier said, buttoning one button of his suit coat. Kira sat at the next table with Mrs. Davis, but he forced himself to concentrate on the matter at hand.

Cynthia Chaisen's stiletto heels resonated off the tile floor as she walked across to take the stand....