Chapter 8 - The Courtroom
The hearing drew more attention than Maribel expected.
The Calloway family’s attorney arrived with two assistants and several folders.
Lenora wore a navy suit and sat perfectly upright.
Everett sat beside her, looking exhausted.
Maribel sat on the other side with Parker and his supervising attorney.
She could feel people watching her.
For weeks, she had imagined this moment.
She had imagined anger.
Instead, she felt strangely calm.
When Lenora spoke, she described the missing jewelry, Maribel’s access to her bedroom, and the family’s belief that no one else had an opportunity to take it.
Then Maribel was questioned.
“Were you alone in Mrs. Calloway’s bedroom that afternoon?”
“For part of the afternoon, yes.”
“Did you see the jewelry case?”
“Yes.”
“And you expect this court to believe that an heirloom disappeared from a room you cleaned, yet you know absolutely nothing about it?”
Maribel looked toward the attorney.
“I expect people to believe the truth, even when the person telling it does not have money.”
May you like
A quiet murmur moved through the room.
Everett looked at her for the first time.
