Inside, the courthouse smelled of paper, floor polish, and coffee.
A security officer checked his identification and directed him toward the courtroom.
Curtis sat on a wooden bench outside.
He placed his hands on his knees.
People moved around him.
A woman spoke quietly into her phone.
An attorney hurried past carrying a stack of files.
A man in a gray suit argued with a clerk near the reception desk.
Curtis watched them without becoming involved.
He had been in difficult rooms before.
Some had contained danger.
Others had contained decisions that would affect lives for years.
The courthouse was different.
Here, every movement seemed deliberate.
A door opened.
Melissa Grant stepped into the hallway.
"Mr. Dawson?"
Curtis stood.
"Yes."
She extended her hand.
"Thank you for coming."
"Of course."
"How are you feeling?"
"All right."
"Good. I want to explain what will happen. The hearing is scheduled to establish whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. Depending on the court's decision and the applicable procedure, we may address the charge and the evidence today."
Curtis nodded.
"Understood."
"The defense may ask you questions about the incident. They'll likely focus on your interaction with Mr. Raines before the physical contact."
"That's fine."
"They may suggest that you were confrontational."
Curtis considered that.
"I told him I was eating and asked him to give me room."
Melissa nodded.
"That's consistent with your statement."
"Then I'll say that."
"Exactly. Don't argue with the attorney. Don't try to answer a question they haven't asked. Just tell the truth."
Curtis gave a small smile.
"I can manage that."
Melissa glanced toward the courtroom.
"Mr. Raines is here."
Curtis looked through the open doorway.
Victor sat beside Gregory Shaw.
He wore a dark suit and a white shirt.
His hair was neatly combed.
His hands were folded.
He looked smaller than Curtis remembered.
Not physically.
In the travel plaza, Victor had occupied space as if it belonged to him.
He had moved with the certainty of a man who expected people to step aside.
Here, he was sitting quietly, waiting for someone else to speak.
Their eyes met.
Victor looked away first.
Curtis did not stare.
He returned his attention to Melissa.
"Let's get started," she said.
Inside the courtroom, the judge reviewed the case information.
Victor stood when instructed.
Gregory Shaw introduced himself as defense counsel.
Melissa Grant represented the state.
Curtis sat in the designated witness area.
Tasha Green was present as well.
She had taken the day off from the travel plaza.
She wore a simple blouse and black trousers.
When she saw Curtis, she nodded.
He nodded back.
Daniel Whitaker sat several rows behind her.
He had brought a copy of the original video and had already provided the recording to investigators.
Dylan Mercer and Aaron Pike sat near the back.
Neither had been required to attend the initial hearing, but both had come voluntarily.
Curtis noticed them.
He appreciated that.
The judge reviewed the charge and confirmed that Victor understood the allegation.
Gregory entered a plea of not guilty.
The judge asked whether the parties were prepared to proceed with the evidentiary portion.
Melissa answered yes.
Gregory said the defense was ready.
The hearing began.
Tasha Green was called first.
She walked to the witness stand with visible nervousness.
The clerk administered the oath.
Melissa approached.
"Please state your name."
"Tasha Green."
"Where were you employed on the evening of the incident?"
"At the travel plaza restaurant on Interstate 65."
"Did you see Curtis Dawson that evening?"
"Yes."
"Describe what you observed."
Tasha took a breath.
"He was sitting alone at one of the tables near the window. He had food and coffee. He was eating quietly."
"What happened next?"
"A group of men came in. They were wearing matching jackets."
"Did you recognize any of them?"
"Yes. I recognized Mr. Raines."
She identified Victor.
"Did you hear what he said to Mr. Dawson?"
"Some of it."
"What did you hear?"
"He told him he was sitting in the wrong place. Then he said something about deciding who belonged there."
"Did Mr. Dawson respond?"
"He asked him to give him room."
"Did you see Mr. Raines touch Mr. Dawson?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"He grabbed his shirt."
"What happened after that?"
"The plate fell. Then Mr. Raines slapped him."
The courtroom became very still.
Melissa paused.
"Did Mr. Dawson strike Mr. Raines?"
"No."
"Did he attempt to strike anyone else?"
"No."
"Did he threaten anyone?"
"No."
"How would you describe his behavior?"
Tasha looked toward Curtis.
"He seemed calm. Maybe surprised, but calm."
Melissa thanked her.
Gregory stood for cross-examination.
"Ms. Green, you were working during this incident, correct?"
"Yes."
"You were serving customers?"
"Yes."
"So you were not watching the entire interaction from beginning to end?"
"Not every second."
"Isn't it possible that you missed something?"
"I saw what happened."
"But you admit you were working."
"Yes."
Gregory approached the witness stand.
"You were also concerned about the broken plate, weren't you?"
Tasha hesitated.
"Yes."
"Because it was your responsibility to clean up?"
"Partly."
"And Mr. Dawson asked that you not be blamed?"
"Yes."
Gregory looked toward the judge.
"So he was concerned about your job?"
"Yes."
"Could that have influenced your opinion of him?"
Tasha looked confused.
"No."
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
"Isn't it possible that you felt sympathy for him?"