Chapter 26

It was the day for closing arguments. And once again, the courtroom was all a flutter. Catherine, with Phillip’s help here and there, had fine-tuned her closing argument.

Cameron was wearing a dark gray jacket, a black tie, and black slacks. His dark hair was neatly combed.

Phillip was talking to Ava in spectator seating.

Mrs. Townsend looked more nervous than a cat in a tree during a lightning storm. Mr. Townsend and Ezekiel acted cool as a cucumber. Matt was whispering to Cameron like he was a coach talking to the star quarterback. Ms. Lea Ann sat in a chair looking – Catherine couldn’t place her look. It was like she had something on her mind.

“Are you all right, Mrs. Rushings?” Catherine asked.

“Huh? Oh, yes. I’m just . . . concerned for Cameron,” she said with a weak smile.

Is that all? Something told Catherine it wasn’t.

Mrs. Mays, Kelly’s mother, sat quietly next to Ezekiel. Catherin