Chapter 17 - NO DEAL
Eleanor’s offer was six pages long.
Genevieve read every word.
Then she tore it in half.
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Technically, that was my copy.”
“Send her the pieces.”
At the preliminary hearing, Eleanor entered wearing navy blue and pearls.
She looked exactly like the woman who had chaired charity galas, opened hospital wings, and smiled beside governors.
Genevieve entered in a wheelchair.
Eleanor looked relieved.
That almost made it worth the pain.
The prosecutor called Genevieve first.
She described the slap.
The papers.
The threat.
Julian moving Nora out of reach.
Eleanor’s attorney tried to make her sound confused.
“You were under significant medication, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And physically impaired?”
“Yes.”
“So your perception may have been affected.”
Genevieve looked directly at Eleanor.
“My phone’s perception wasn’t.”
The courtroom murmured.
The recording played.
Then security video from the garage showed Eleanor carrying Nora toward the SUV.
The attorney changed direction.
“Mrs. Vale, isn’t it true you cannot presently care for an infant without assistance?”
Genevieve looked at the judge.
“May I stand?”
Sarah’s eyes widened.
The judge nodded.
Darnell, seated behind her, stepped forward.
Genevieve locked her braces.
She pushed against the chair arms.
Her legs shook.
Slowly, painfully, she stood.
Eleanor’s face emptied.
Genevieve held the rail beside the witness stand.
“I need help,” she said. “That does not make me incapable. And it does not make me property.”
She sat back down.
The judge denied Eleanor’s release request.
As deputies moved her toward the side door, Eleanor turned.
“You think you won because you stood up?”
Genevieve met her eyes.
“No.”
“I won when I stopped being afraid you wouldn’t believe me.”
Outside the courtroom, Ortiz approached.
“Julian wants to plead.”
May you like
Genevieve looked toward the holding corridor.
“And he wants to speak to you one last time.”
