Chapter 23:
Judge Blackwood's hands were tight on the gavel.
Nobody in that courtroom moved.
"Your Honor," Silas's lawyer said, standing up again. "This is outrageous. The respondent is making accusations against my client with no evidence and no foundation—"
"Sit down," Judge Blackwood said again. Not loud. Quiet. The kind of quiet that makes people sit down.
The lawyer sat down.
Judge Blackwood looked at me.
"You made a statement," he said. "In my courtroom. About my son."
"Yes, Your Honor."
"You understand that this is a custody hearing. Not a criminal trial. Not a forum for you to air family grievances."
"I understand."
"Do you also understand that if you can't back up what you just said, I'm going to hold you in contempt?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Then back it up."
I looked a
