Chapter 48

"We will now resume the hearing," the judge said. "We have just learned that Simon is able to provide us with evidence that his wife's death was accidental. Enlisting the help of another Memory Recoder, we learned that these were, in fact, memories and not altered projections."

Lysandra cast a glance over at her father, but he didn't return the look. Instead, he continued watching the judge.

"This information will change his sentence," the judge continued, "and we will need some time to discuss it. Simon Ferry, you are dismissed. Reinforcers, you are to take him back to his cell."

Lysandra bit her lip as she watched the Reinforcers corral Simon out of the room. The judge had looked away and begun shuffling through the papers at his desk.

"Meanwhile, you, Lysandra, and you, Cale," he said when the door had closed and the room fallen silent again. "About your sentences..."

Lysandra held her breath. Ismene reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, but she jerked away.