CHAPTER FIVE
“ALL RISE,” THE BAILIFF intoned as the judge entered the courtroom from his chambers.
Donny, Lizzie, and Joe stood as a unit at the bailiff’s instructions, then settled back into their seats.
“How you been, kiddo?” Joe murmured from her left. “Getting enough sleep?”
“Nope,” she whispered back. “I’ll fill you in later.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand.
From her right, Lizzie could sense Donny’s nervous tension skyrocketing as Samantha Kennard was once again paraded into the courtroom in the same drab gray outfit that she’d been wearing seven weeks ago. Lizzie reached out and took Donny’s hand, continuing the chain of unspoken comfort Joe had begun.
They rose again as the jury filed in, and when she turned her head Lizzie was surprised to see Nathan Thomas standing
