“And the respondent?” the judge asked.

Shark stood up, his leather vest creaking in the quiet room. “James Conley, acting as lay advocate for Sarah Mallory, Your Honor.”

“I see the filings, Mr. Conley,” Judge Vance said, her eyes moving over the papers. “Mr. Harrison, you may have five minutes.”

Harrison took a step toward the center of the well, his continue reading …