Then I opened it, revealing the first document.
Stephen Calder suddenly rose from his chair.
“Your Honor, I object to the admission of any document Mrs. Ellison has prepared herself.”
Judge Porter lifted one hand.
“Mr. Calder, you may object after we establish what the document is.”
Calder remained standing for another moment, his expression carefully composed, before lowering himself into his chair.
I placed the agreement on the table in front of me.
“I’m not asking the court to accept anything without review,” I said.
“I’m asking that the original be preserved and that the court compare it with the document Mr. Calder submitted.”
Judge Porter looked from me to the stack of papers in Calder’s possession.
“Mr. Calder, do you have the original proposed agreement?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Please bring it forward.”
He hesitated.
It was the smallest pause, barely longer than a breath, but I had spent years learning what hesitation could reveal.
Calder gathered the papers and walked toward the bench.
