Chapter 10 - I Admit I Trusted Her
I took oath.
Caroline started simple.
“Did you send Claire an electronic signature file?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“A charity letter three years earlier.”
“Any standing authorization for personal debt?”
“No.”
“Any authorization for Nora incident form?”
“No.”
“Did you know you were guarantor on Frontier line?”
“No.”
“Equipment agreement?”
“No.”
“Lease?”
“No.”
Then text.
Whatever you need.
“I sent.”
“What did it mean?”
“She was stressed about expansion. I meant I supported project and household information she asked me to provide.”
“Did it mean she could sign your name to debt?”
“No.”
Then Nora morning.
I did not hide.
“Nora asked not stay with Claire.”
“What did you do?”
“I told her to give Claire a chance.”
“Do you regret?”
“Yes.”
Defense stood.
“Mr. Carter, you were already angry at yourself.”
“Yes.”
“You filed divorce days after injury.”
“Yes.”
“You had motive to interpret Claire negatively.”
“Possible.”
“You physically moved Claire at clinic.”
“Yes.”
“You knocked her hand away and shoved her back.”
“I moved her away from injured child.”
“Were you furious?”
“Yes.”
“Could anger affect memory?”
“Yes.”
“Did Claire ever strike Nora before?”
“No.”
“Did Claire care for Nora for months?”
“Yes.”
“Did Nora sometimes enjoy Claire?”
“Yes.”
“Did Claire contribute to household?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Aurelia had debt?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Claire wanted your support?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell her whatever she needed?”
“Yes.”
“Did you read every document?”
“No.”
“Is it possible you signed something and forgot?”
“No.”
“How can you be certain?”
“Because the electronic sessions came from her office, her phone, and because she texted a consultant she couldn’t ask me again.”
Then:
“You are not digital expert.”
“No.”
“You stand to benefit financially if guarantees void.”
“Yes.”
“Your divorce settlement improves if Claire bears debt.”
“Possibly.”
“Does that give you motive to deny consent?”
“Yes.”
He paused.
Maybe he expected defensive.
Then:
“Are you denying because of motive?”
“No.”
The truth could survive admitting incentives.
Then he asked:
“Do you believe Claire intentionally broke Nora’s arm?”
“No.”
That surprised.
“Do you believe she wanted Nora hurt?”
“No.”
“Do you believe she loved her?”
“I believe she thought she did.”
Prosecutor objected speculation.
Sustained.
Then redirect:
“What is case about to you?”
“Not fall.”
“What?”
“What she did after Nora asked help.”
I stepped down.
Claire watched.
May you like
For a second I saw woman I married.
Then it was gone.
