บท 161: Chapter 59: The Contact Meeting

Tommy smoothed his suit and sat down at the table, looking across at Mitch Kapor, Robert Molley, and slightly aside, Jim Manz, who was resting his chin on his hand and sizing him up.

The courtroom attendant, seeing that Tommy had not begun to speak, gently sounded the bell that was used as a prompt, signaling that both parties could start, say anything; this was merely a formal private contact, not a trial, so they could chat about any topic like strangers meeting for the first time. After all, conversations unrelated to the case wouldn't be recorded or submitted once confirmed at the end.

Neither side was in a rush to speak. Mitch adjusted his glasses; when he had first seen a photo of Tommy Hawk, he'd felt some dislike for the man. And now, with this guy sitting across from him, he was even more convinced they'd never be friends.