Chapter 4 - Maya’s secret
Judge Thorne allowed the child advocate to bring the tablet forward.
“Maya,” she asked, “where did you get this?”
“Daddy’s old tablet.”
“Did anyone tell you to bring it?”
“No.”
“Does your mother know you have it?”
Maya shook her head.
I didn’t.
I had never seen it before.
Julian’s attorney stood.
“We object to any unauthorized recording being introduced without authentication.”
Judge Thorne raised one hand.
“I have not admitted anything into evidence.”
Then she looked at Maya.
“Why did you save something on this tablet?”
Maya’s eyes filled.
“Because Daddy deletes things.”
The courtroom became quieter.
Julian whispered:
“Jesus Christ.”
Judge Thorne heard him.
“So you recorded something?”
Maya nodded.
“How?”
She held up Mr. Buttons.
“I put the tablet behind my toys.”
Julian suddenly stood again.
“She is six years old! She has no idea what she recorded.”
This time the bailiff moved toward him.
Judge Thorne’s voice hardened.
“Mr. Vance, sit down.”
Maya flinched.
I instinctively rose.
“Maya, sweetheart—”
“Mrs. Vance.”
I stopped.
Judge Thorne softened her voice.
“Maya, would you like me to watch it?”
My daughter looked directly at me.
“I’m sorry, Mommy.”
My heart broke.
“For what?”
Her voice became barely audible.
“I was supposed to tell Daddy when you found the papers.”
I stared at her.
“What papers?”
Julian’s face turned white.
Maya began crying.
“He said if I didn’t help him, they would take you away.”
The courtroom erupted in whispers.
May you like
Judge Thorne immediately ordered silence.
Then she pressed play.
