Chapter 7 - The hidden safe
Judge Thorne immediately ordered a recess.
Nobody was permitted to leave.
Julian protested.
His attorney requested privacy.
Judge Thorne refused until court security had secured the tablet and relevant parties had been instructed appropriately.
Maya sat beside the child advocate.
I wanted desperately to hold her.
But I waited until the advocate nodded.
Then Maya ran into my arms.
“I’m sorry.”
I held her face.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
“I helped Daddy.”
“You were scared.”
“He said you would go to jail.”
I closed my eyes.
There are moments when rage becomes so complete that it stops feeling hot.
It becomes cold.
Precise.
Useful.
“Maya, did Daddy ever hurt you?”
She shook her head.
“Did he threaten you?”
Her answer took longer.
“He said Grandma Evelyn knew judges.”
Evelyn heard that.
“That is absolutely ridiculous.”
Maya buried her face against me.
Judge Thorne returned.
The second recording was played privately first.
Then relevant portions were addressed in court.
It showed Julian inside his home office.
He opened a concealed safe behind a framed photograph.
Inside were documents, cash, several storage drives, and what appeared to be additional financial records.
Then another man entered.
His face was outside the camera’s view.
“You forged Elena’s signature,” the man said.
Julian answered:
“I did what was necessary.”
“If they find this account, you’re finished.”
“They won’t.”
“You’re betting your entire company on that.”
Julian laughed.
“No.”
He closed the safe.
“I’m betting Elena’s life on it.”
I stared at the screen.
The phrase could have meant many things.
Financial life.
Reputation.
Custody.
But Judge Thorne did not speculate.
She simply looked toward Julian.
“Bailiff.”
“Yes, Your Honor?”
“Secure the courtroom.”
May you like
The doors were closed.
And Julian finally stopped smiling.
