Edmund stood there in shock, open-mouthed. Everyone in the courtroom was staring at him, the judge, the jury. Even Jennifer, sitting right next to him. Had she slid away from him on the bench?
He didn’t understand what had just happened. He didn’t say that word. He didn’t even think that word. He was a good person.
Judge Liebowitz slammed his gavel. “Mr. Dantent! You will be seated and be quiet! You are very lucky I don’t hold you in contempt of court.”
Edmund remained standing a moment longer until Jennifer grabbed his hand and tugged him down. Edmund didn’t recognize it yet, but he remembered that glare 3 months later, when he was served the papers.
It wasn’t until he saw the positively selachian grin spreading across Clump’s face that he realized how catastrophically he’d screwed up.
And then, he had to walk out of the courtroom, and face the reporters . . .
The Mayor of Christ Mountain 
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