Chapter 6 - THE OBJECT CAME OUT OF HIS JACKET
Back in the courtroom, Daniel stepped toward Lucas.
The bailiff moved immediately.
“Sir, return to your table.”
Daniel stopped.
His hands were shaking.
I had never seen that before.
Daniel could stand in front of angry investors with millions at risk and barely blink.
Now our nine-year-old son had reduced him to panic with one hand inside his jacket.
Lucas looked at me.
His face crumpled.
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
I wanted to run to him.
I did not.
Judge Mercer spoke gently.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
Lucas slowly removed the object.
A tiny black solid-state storage drive.
Smaller than my palm.
Daniel closed his eyes.
His attorney whispered something under his breath.
Judge Mercer looked toward the child advocate.
“Has this been discussed with you?”
“Yes, Your Honor. Lucas disclosed its existence yesterday. He has not allowed anyone to access it yet because he said his father told him destroying it was ‘the only way to keep the family together.’”
The courtroom erupted in whispers.
Daniel snapped, “That’s not what I said.”
Lucas flinched.
Judge Mercer struck her gavel.
“Mr. Foster.”
Silence.
Lucas held the drive with both hands.
“You told me if Mom saw it, Mason and I might never live together again.”
I heard Mason gasp beside me.
Daniel looked toward him.
That was his second mistake.
Because Mason finally understood his brother had been carrying the fear for both of them.
He pulled away from my side.
“Dad told you that?”
Lucas nodded.
Mason started crying.
“No.”
He crossed the small space between us and wrapped both arms around his brother.
For the first time in months, Lucas cried openly.
I stood behind them, barely able to breathe.
Judge Mercer looked at Daniel.
The contempt in her expression was restrained.
Professional.
But unmistakable.
Then she ordered the drive preserved and examined.
May you like
That was when Daniel’s attorney asked for a recess.
The judge refused.
