Chapter 17 - What a Signature Means
Mom's testimony lasted most of the day. I watched none of it. Nina took me to a nearby office with a window facing a brick wall, and we played cards until my fingers stopped shaking. Later Mom told me what happened.
The defense attorney asked whether she had approved the payment. She said yes. He asked whether she'd visited the building before signing. She said no. He asked whether she had broken company rules. She said she had failed to question a description she should have questioned.
"So you were responsible," he said.
"I was responsible for my mistake," Mom answered. "I was not responsible for ordering emergency exits chained shut, hiding the orders, or leaving families inside after we knew the alarms were disabled."
The courtroom went quiet. Then Ms. Reed introduced the earlier interview in which Mom had disclosed the voucher before anyone accused her of concealing it. A fire-safety expert explained the damaged alarm system. Arthur's photograph showed the chained exit. Calvin's records connected the orders to Harlan.
Mom told the jury about Lena making jokes when they were frightened. She told them Lena went back to the building on the night of the fire because an elderly tenant on the third floor needed help with the stairs.
"Did you tell her to stay away?" the defense asked.
"I begged her to," Mom said. "She went anyway. I wish I'd gone with her."
Afterward, Mom came into the office where I waited. Her eyes were red, but she wasn't hiding her face.
"Did you tell them?" I asked.
"Everything I knew. Even the parts I wish were different."
May you like
Nolan appeared in the doorway. "The government has rested. The jury will hear closing arguments tomorrow."
Then he added, "Ryan's plea hearing is set for next month. He has admitted to photographing your home for the people who threatened Sarah."
