Chapter 2 - Motion to Clear the Courtroom
Julian leaned toward his attorney, Gregory Hayes, frantically whispering into the older man's ear while pointing an accusatory finger across the aisle.
Hayes looked miserable, his forehead slick with sudden sweat as he repeatedly adjusted his silk tie.
Finally, Hayes stood up slowly, clearing his throat twice before addressing the bench.
"Your Honor, in light of these... sensitive and unverified statements, my client respectfully requests an immediate recess," Hayes stammered.
"Furthermore, we move to clear the gallery and conduct the remainder of these proceedings in camera to protect the privacy of the minor child."
Judge Vance looked at Hayes, then slowly shifted her cold, unforgiving eyes directly onto Julian.
"Mr. Hayes, when your client believed his wife was surrendering every piece of marital real estate, he had no objection to an open courtroom," the judge noted dryly.
"Now that a serious allegation of criminal fraud has been brought forward under the supervision of a court-appointed child advocate, you want closed doors?"
"Your Honor, it is entirely inappropriate to turn a routine dissolution hearing into a criminal inquiry," Hayes argued weakly.
"I will decide what is appropriate in my courtroom, Counselor," Judge Vance replied with absolute authority.
She turned toward the child advocate, Mrs. Albright.
"Mrs. Albright, please take Leo back to the family-services suite, provide him with a snack, and keep him entirely isolated from both parties."
"Come on, Leo," Mrs. Albright said warmly, taking my son's small hand.
As Leo walked past my table, he reached out and touched my arm with two tiny fingers.
"I'm sorry, Mommy," he whispered, tears spilling over his eyelashes. "I didn't mean to get Daddy in trouble."
My throat closed so tight I could barely draw breath, but I managed to press a gentle kiss to his forehead.
"You did nothing wrong, baby," I promised him, my voice breaking. "You told the truth, and the truth is never wrong."
The moment the side door clicked shut behind Leo, Judge Vance leaned forward on both elbows.
"Mrs. Lindqvist, you mentioned earlier that your office had been tracing unauthorized inquiries into an external trust account. Does this relate to what we just heard?"
May you like
"It does, Your Honor," Sarah answered, rising with a thick manila folder clutched firmly in her hands.
"And with the court's permission, I would like to show exactly what Julian Collins and Melissa Grant were practicing."
