Chapter 12 - The Courtroom Betrayal
The judge asked Victoria one question.
“Have you personally observed behavior from Emily Hale that concerned you?”
Victoria folded her hands.
“Yes.”
Nathan smiled.
My nails bit into my palm beneath the table.
Dana didn’t look at me.
Victoria continued.
“She has been frightened. Suspicious. Quick to anger.”
Nathan’s attorney stood.
“Would you describe her as irrational?”
Victoria looked at me.
For half a second, her face changed.
Then it vanished.
“Yes.”
Nathan leaned back.
I wanted to throw the table at him.
Dana touched my wrist once.
Don’t react.
Victoria said, “Anyone being poisoned by her husband would appear irrational before people knew it was true.”
The courtroom stopped.
Nathan’s smile disappeared.
His attorney turned.
“Excuse me?”
Victoria reached into her purse.
Two bailiffs moved instantly.
She raised one hand.
“It’s a recorder.”
Dana stood.
“Your Honor, we request permission to approach.”
Nathan shot to his feet.
“This is a stunt.”
The judge slammed the gavel.
“Sit down, Mr. Hale.”
He sat.
Slowly.
Victoria placed a small digital recorder on the clerk’s table.
“I have six weeks of conversations with my son.”
Nathan’s face drained.
Victoria looked at him.
“You said if I didn’t help, you would hurt the baby.”
His jaw clenched.
“Mom, stop.”
“Sit there and listen.”
The clerk connected the recorder to courtroom speakers.
Static.
Then Nathan’s voice.
She needs to look unstable before delivery.
Victoria’s recorded voice answered.
You said you wouldn’t hurt her.
I won’t have to if she cooperates.
Another file.
Make sure she takes the capsules before appointments.
My throat closed.
Another.
Reed will handle the chart.
Another.
The signatures are done. We just need the incapacity certification.
Nathan stood again.
“That’s edited.”
The judge pointed at him.
“One more interruption and you will be removed.”
Victoria’s hand shook beside the witness microphone.
The final recording began.
She said, “What if Emily finds Rebecca’s files?”
Nathan laughed through the speaker.
“Rebecca almost ruined everything the first time.”
A murmur rolled through the courtroom.
Nathan’s chair scraped.
This time he didn’t stand.
He shoved backward and ran.
“Stop him!” someone shouted.
He hit the aisle.
A bailiff grabbed his jacket.
Nathan twisted free of one sleeve and slammed into the rail.
Another officer caught him around the waist.
Nathan kicked a chair into the aisle.
People screamed.
I stood without realizing it.
He saw me.
His face changed.
Not fear.
Hatred.
“You think you won?” he shouted.
The bailiffs forced his arms behind him.
The judge ordered the courtroom cleared.
Nathan laughed.
One sharp sound.
“You still think Rebecca is alive?”
My lungs stopped.
Victoria’s face went white.
Nathan saw it.
His grin widened.
“Ask my mother what she buried at the lake house.”
Victoria whispered, “Nathan.”
He shouted over the deputies dragging him toward the side door.
“Tell her, Mom!”
The door opened.
“Tell Emily what you put in the ground!”
Then he was gone.
May you like
I turned toward Victoria.
She couldn’t meet my eyes.
