Chapter 1: The Envelope
“You were not provided with this because it was not evidence I received until recently,” Michael said.
Richard Blake’s smile disappeared.
Judge Hawkins looked over the rim of her glasses.
“Recently?””
“Yes, Your Honor.””
Benjamin leaned forward.
“What exactly is in that envelope?””
Michael didn’t answer him.
He turned to the judge instead.
“Documents that directly concern the financial history of the Carter marriage.””
Richard immediately objected.
“Your Honor, this is highly irregular.””
Judge Hawkins raised one hand.
“Mr. Blake, I haven’t ruled on admissibility yet.””
Richard sat down.
For the first time since I had entered the courtroom, Benjamin looked uncertain.
I watched his eyes move from the envelope to Michael, then to me.
He knew me well enough to recognize that I wasn't scared.
That frightened him more than the envelope itself.
Judge Hawkins extended her hand.
“Mr. Peterson, bring it forward.””
Michael walked to the bench.
The courtroom seemed to shrink around us.
I could hear the faint hum of the ventilation system. The scrape of someone's shoe against the floor. Somewhere behind me, a woman coughed softly.
Michael placed the envelope in front of the judge.
She opened it.
Her expression changed after the first page.
Not dramatically.
Judge Hawkins wasn't the kind of person who gave away her thoughts.
But her eyebrows lifted slightly.
Then she turned another page.
Benjamin shifted in his chair.
Dorothy whispered, “What is she reading?””
Veronica leaned closer.
“I don't know.””
Richard stood.
“Your Honor, may I approach?””
“No.””
One word.
Richard stopped.
Judge Hawkins continued reading.
I stared at Benjamin.
He finally looked at me.
“What did you do?”” he whispered.
I almost laughed.
“What did I do?””
“You know what I'm talking about.””
“No, Benjamin. I really don't.””
His jaw tightened.
“You've been planning this.””
I leaned slightly toward him.
“You spent six months planning to convince everyone I was worthless.””
His face hardened.
“I was protecting my company.””
“Were you?””
He didn't answer.
Michael returned to his seat.
Judge Hawkins placed the papers neatly in front of her.
“Mr. Peterson, when did you obtain these?””
“Three weeks ago.””
“And why were they not disclosed previously?””
“Because I had to authenticate them first.””
Richard shook his head.
“Your Honor, we strongly object to their introduction.””
Judge Hawkins looked at him.
“You've made your objection.””
“Yes, but—”
“Sit down, Mr. Blake.””
He sat.
Dorothy's fingers tightened around her handbag.
Judge Hawkins looked at me.
“Mrs. Carter, do you understand what these documents are?””
“Yes.””
“Do you believe they are authentic?””
“Yes.””
Benjamin suddenly spoke.
“Your Honor, I don't.””
Judge Hawkins turned toward him.
“Then your counsel may address that.””
Benjamin stopped.
For once, his confidence wasn't enough.
Richard stood again.
“Your Honor, whatever these documents are, my client disputes their relevance.””
Judge Hawkins nodded.
“Then let's establish relevance.””
She lifted the first page.
“This appears to be a transfer authorization.””
Michael nodded.
“It is.””
“From Carter Holdings?””
“Yes.””
“To an account ending in 4817?””
“Yes.””
Benjamin's face went pale.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
So did Michael.
Judge Hawkins looked at Benjamin.
“Mr. Carter, do you recognize this authorization?””
He swallowed.
“I'd need to examine it.””
“You may.””
She handed it to the clerk, who passed it down.
Benjamin took the document.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then stopped.
His fingers tightened around the paper.
Richard leaned toward him.
Benjamin whispered something.
Richard's face changed.
Dorothy noticed.
“What is it?”” she asked.
Benjamin didn't answer.
Veronica reached for his arm.
“Ben?””
He pulled away.
Judge Hawkins waited.
Finally, she said, “Mr. Carter?””
Benjamin looked up.
“Yes, Your Honor.””
“Do you recognize the signature?””
He hesitated.
“No.””
Michael spoke quietly.
“That's interesting.””
Richard turned.
“Don't.””
Michael ignored him.
He opened his own folder.
“Because the bank has already confirmed that the signature belongs to Mr. Carter.””
Benjamin stared at him.
“That isn't possible.””
“It is.””
“You forged it.””
I turned toward him.
“Benjamin, you signed it.””
His eyes locked onto mine.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Dorothy rose abruptly.
“This is ridiculous.””
Judge Hawkins looked at her.
“Mrs. Carter, please remain seated.””
“But my son is being accused of—”
“I said remain seated.””
Dorothy sat.
Her face was red.
Judge Hawkins looked back at the documents.
“This matter may require further examination.””
Richard nodded quickly.
“Exactly, Your Honor. Which is why these documents should not be considered today.””
Michael looked at me.
I gave him a small nod.
He reached into the briefcase again.
Benjamin saw it.
His expression changed.
“There’s more?””
Michael placed a second envelope on the table.
This one was thicker.
Richard stared at it.
Judge Hawkins sighed.
“Mr. Peterson.””
“Yes?””
“How many documents are we discussing today?””
Michael paused.
“Enough to change the financial picture of this marriage, Your Honor.””
The courtroom went completely silent.
Benjamin's chair creaked as he shifted backward.
He looked at me as if he were seeing a stranger.
Maybe he was.
May you like
Because the woman who had spent eight years making excuses for him was gone.
And the second envelope was only the beginning.
