CHAPTER 3 — THE DETECTIVE SPEAKS
Judge Blake turned toward the gallery.
"Detective Owen Reed."
The detective stood.
He walked to the witness stand carrying a sealed evidence box.
"I supervised this investigation for eight months."
Preston's head snapped toward him.
"You investigated me?"
"No."
Reed answered calmly.
"I investigated crimes."
One by one, he removed evidence.
Photographs.
Medical reports.
Bank statements.
Insurance documents.
Copies of deleted emails.
"Mrs. Mercer never fabricated injuries."
He paused.
"She hid them."
Another silence.
"The defendant repeatedly attempted to access her trust accounts."
He displayed transfer records.
"Forged signatures."
The courtroom projector zoomed in.
Signature comparisons.
Forensic handwriting analysis.
Every forgery matched Preston.
Vivian suddenly stood.
"This is outrageous!"
Judge Blake looked at her.
"Sit down."
She did.
Immediately.
Reed wasn't finished.
"We also recovered deleted phone messages."
He pressed Play.
Preston's voice filled the courtroom.
"If you ever tell anyone what happens in this house, I'll make sure everyone believes you're crazy."
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
Not even Preston.
May you like
For the first time in years...
He looked afraid.
