Chapter 13 - I Tell the Whole Story
Marcus began with marriage.
How we met.
Luke charming.
Helpful.
Financially organized.
No villain from first date.
Then first miscarriage.
Natural? We did not know.
I said:
“I blamed myself.”
“Did Luke?”
“At first he said nobody’s fault.”
Then second.
Male result I did not know.
Pink necklace.
Then:
“What did Luke tell you?”
“That maybe my body couldn’t carry boys.”
The jury heard absurdity.
But grief.
Then third.
Supplements.
Dizziness.
Loss.
Then fourth.
Then current.
Powder.
Clinic change.
Pregnancy survived.
Girl.
Kitchen.
I described pot.
No graphic.
Pain.
He said accident.
Hospital second attack.
Then no.
Then poisoning statement.
Defense objected that I lacked knowledge at time.
Judge allowed as statement of suspicion? Maybe.
Then finances.
I trusted Luke.
Signed POA.
Did not authorize self-dealing.
Then cross.
Luke’s attorney, Henry Cole, was calm.
“Ms. Foster, you lied to doctors repeatedly.”
“Yes.”
“You denied abuse.”
“Yes.”
“You continued trying to conceive with Luke.”
“Yes.”
“You told friends he was supportive.”
“Yes.”
“You signed power of attorney.”
“Yes.”
“You benefited from properties?”
“Household did somewhat.”
“You shoved Luke during arguments.”
“Yes.”
“You once threw a glass?”
I remembered.
“Yes.”
It hit wall.
“Violence.”
“I threw it at wall during argument. That was wrong.”
Then:
“Did Luke ever force the contaminated powder into your mouth?”
“No.”
“You drank voluntarily.”
“Yes.”
“Did you see him add medication?”
“No.”
“Do you know who did?”
“I know what evidence says. I didn't see.”
Good.
Then:
“Pregnancy one could have been natural miscarriage.”
“Yes.”
“Two?”
“Yes.”
“Three?”
“I don't know.”
“Four?”
“I believe he caused.”
“Belief.”
“Yes.”
Then genetic sex.
“You were not told directly by doctor at time?”
“No.”
“Luke told you girls.”
“Yes.”
“Could he misunderstand records?”
“Three times?”
Objection. Sustained maybe.
Then finances.
“You signed broad POA allowing investment.”
“Yes.”
“Did it prohibit real estate investments?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Did Luke believe Mercer Holdings benefited marriage?”
“You would have to ask him.”
Good.
Then child trust.
“You forgot provision.”
“Yes.”
“So Luke may have known more finances because you delegated.”
“Yes.”
“Delegation is consent.”
“Not to secretly take.”
He paused.
Then kitchen.
“You and Luke argued.”
“Yes.”
“You stepped backward.”
“Yes.”
“Could pot have slipped?”
“No.”
“How can jury know?”
“They'll decide.”
Marcus had told me no speeches.
That answer just came.
Then hospital.
“Luke brought you to hospital.”
“He called ambulance.”
“He sought medical care.”
“After hurting me.”
Then:
“Did he ever tell you, ‘I poisoned you’?”
“No.”
“Did he ever admit causing miscarriage?”
“No.”
Then voice memo.
Not yet.
Then:
“You are in divorce litigation worth hundreds thousands.”
“It’s finalized.”
“You received Mercer Holdings equity.”
“To repay money traced from my inheritance.”
“You benefit financially from conviction?”
“No.”
Restitution maybe.
But not windfall.
Then he asked about Rebecca.
“Your sister is prosecutor.”
“Yes.”
“Powerful connection.”
“She was screened.”
“You called her from hospital.”
“The nurse called after I gave number.”
“Did she pressure police?”
“Not that I know.”
Then:
“You want your sister’s office to convict your ex-husband.”
“I want independent prosecutors to do their job.”
Good.
Then:
“You hate Luke.”
I paused.
“No.”
He looked surprised.
“What?”
“I am afraid of him. I am angry. I loved him for years. Hate isn't simple enough.”
The jury listened.
Then:
“You want him never to see daughter.”
“Yes.”
“Because you want control.”
“No. Because I believe he tried to prevent her birth.”
That landed.
Then redirect.
Marcus asked:
“Were you truthful every time during marriage?”
“No.”
“Are you asking jury to believe you because you're perfect?”
“No.”
“Why now?”
“Because he cannot answer for me anymore.”
That was all.
I stepped down.
My knees shook.
Rebecca waited outside.
Not in courtroom because witness.
She hugged me.
“You did it.”
“No.”
“What?”
“I answered.”
That was enough.
May you like
Then defense case.
Luke testified.
