Chapter 2 - THE MAN IN THE BACK ROW
Rebecca's first order was not to identify the man.
It was to get Lily out of the room.
“Officer, bring Ms. Carter to the conference room.”
Vanessa immediately protested.
“She stays with me.”
Rebecca looked at her.
“No.”
That word stopped the courtroom.
Rebecca appointed the court's standby child advocate to remain with Lily until an attorney for the child could be assigned formally.
No Vanessa.
No mother.
No lawyers questioning her.
Lily picked up the blue knitted rabbit from the floor.
Rebecca watched her carry it out.
Only then did she look toward the gallery.
“You. Stand.”
The man did.
Mid-forties.
Dark suit.
No tie.
Gray beginning at his temples.
Rebecca recognized the name when he gave it.
“Elliot Mercer.”
Vanessa went pale again.
Her attorney turned toward her.
“You know him?”
Vanessa did not answer.
Elliot continued.
“I was records director at Harbor Family Access Center.”
Rebecca knew the place.
The center had supervised Lily's visits with her mother during the first year after temporary custody was granted to Vanessa.
“Why are you here?”
“I was subpoenaed.”
“By whom?”
“Ms. Carter's mother's new attorney.”
Rebecca frowned.
Sarah Carter had not been expected today.
According to Vanessa's latest filings, Sarah's current location was uncertain and she had stopped participating in reunification months earlier.
Rebecca looked at the clerk.
“Do we have that subpoena?”
“Yes, Judge. It was filed late yesterday.”
Rebecca had not seen it.
Her docket contained thirty-two matters that week.
That explanation felt thinner than usual.
“What did you mean when you said you predicted Ms. Carter would tear the statement?”
Elliot looked toward Vanessa.
“I didn't say it to Lily.”
Good.
“I said it in the hallway to Sarah Carter's attorney before court. Lily was nearby with the court aide. I should have waited until she was out of earshot.”
Rebecca nodded.
His mistake.
Specific.
“Why did you predict it?”
Elliot opened a document case.
“Because this is the second time Vanessa Carter has destroyed a paper when someone asked where it came from.”
Vanessa's attorney stood.
“Judge, I have no idea what he is talking about.”
Rebecca looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa stared at Elliot.
“What paper?”
Rebecca asked.
Elliot handed a sealed copy to the clerk.
“Nine months ago, Harbor prepared a visit-closing summary.”
“Closing because Sarah stopped attending?”
“That is what the document filed with this court says.”
Rebecca looked at him.
“And?”
“I never signed that document.”
The clerk passed the copy up.
Rebecca knew it.
She had relied on it.
The summary stated:
Mother voluntarily ceased supervised contact after June 3. No subsequent visitation requested.
Signature:
Elliot Mercer, Records Director
Rebecca had read it before extending Vanessa's temporary custodial authority.
“That's your name.”
“Yes.”
“Your signature?”
“No.”
Rebecca felt the first cold weight settle in her stomach.
“What did the actual Harbor record say?”
Elliot opened another folder.
“Sarah Carter continued visiting through August.”
Vanessa finally spoke.
“That is not true.”
Elliot looked at her.
“August second.”
Vanessa went still.
He continued.
“That was the visit where Sarah gave Lily the blue knitted rabbit.”
Rebecca looked toward the door Lily had just gone through.
The same rabbit Vanessa had snatched from her hands.
The object on the courtroom floor had not been random.
May you like
It was evidence that a visit Vanessa claimed never happened—
had happened.
