The man paused, as if he had no memory of her at all. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
He crossed the room and held out his right hand.
"Hello. Gabriel Crane, attorney with Whitfield & Crane."
Madeline stayed calm and shook it.
"Hello. Madeline Hartwell."
His hand was much larger than hers and swallowed her fingertips whole. He held on one second longer than necessary before letting go.
"Miss Hartwell, please sit."
He flipped through the file the front desk had handed him. Every client's basic request was sent over on paper before a meeting.
"You want to reopen a criminal case from three years ago?"
In a few seconds, Madeline had read him. No small talk. No drama.
Good. That meant he wouldn't bring up what happened at the restaurant.
She snapped into business mo
