“Ms. Morgan recently lost her employment due to a fire at her workplace. A fire she was present at, along with the child. This is the third fire she’s been connected to in recent months, creating a pattern that raises questions about her judgment and the safety of the environment she’s providing.”
“Objection.” Patricia stands smoothly. “Counsel is deliberately misrepresenting the facts. Ms. Morgan was a victim in these incidents, not a perpetrator. The arson investigation cleared her completely.”
“Sustained.” Judge Harris looks at Derek’s lawyer over her glasses. “Stick to facts, counselor, not innuendo.”
“Of course, Your Honor.” He doesn’t look remotely chastened. “The fact remains that Ms. Morgan is currently unemployed and living in a house with multiple unrelated adults—a situation that lacks the stability a five-year-old child needs. Mr. Mitchell, on the other hand, has steady employment as a sales manager, a two-bedroom apartment, and the financial means to provide Thomas with a structured, traditional home environment.”
He sits down, looking satisfied.
Patricia stands. She’s calm, collected, every inch the professional. “Your Honor, I’d like to call Fire Lieutenant Cole Archer to the stand.”
My stomach drops. I knew this was coming but knowing and doing are different things.
I walk to the witness stand, raise my right hand, and swear to tell the truth. The leather chair creaks when I sit.
Patricia approaches. “Lieutenant Archer, can you describe your relationship to Ms. Morgan?”
“I’m a close friend of her family. I’ve known her brother Jake since we were kids, and I’ve known Rachel since she was fourteen.”
“And you were the responding officer to the fire at Sunrise Café, where Ms. Morgan and her son were trapped?”
“Yes, ma’am. I carried Ms. Morgan out of the building. My colleague Theo Park rescued Thomas.”
“Can you describe Ms. Morgan’s actions during that emergency?”
I look at Rachel. She’s watching me, green eyes steady. “She stayed calm under extreme stress. She kept her son safe, got him to the second floor away from the smoke, and called 911 immediately. She did everything right.”
“And after the fire, how has she handled the trauma?”
“She’s been strong. Focused on Tommy’s wellbeing, made sure he wasn’t scared, kept his routine stable even while dealing with her own fear and job loss.”
Patricia nods. “Lieutenant Archer, the arson investigation concluded these fires were not random, correct?”
“That’s correct. Arson investigator Marco Reyes determined all three fires were connected—they were targeting an elderly woman named Dorothy Williams, not Ms. Morgan.”
“So, Ms. Morgan was never in danger because of her own actions?”
“No, ma’am. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pure coincidence.”
“And Ms. Morgan assisted in the investigation?”
“She did. She connected crucial details that helped us identify the perpetrator. Her observations about Dorothy’s grandson and his behavior at various locations led directly to his arrest.”
Derek’s lawyer stands. “Objection. Relevance?”
“I’m establishing Ms. Morgan’s character, Your Honor. Her ability to think clearly under pressure, her commitment to justice, and her role in protecting her community.”
“Overruled. Continue, Ms. Harris.”
Patricia turns back to me. “In your professional opinion as someone who sees families in crises regularly, do you believe Thomas Morgan is safe and well-cared-for in his mother’s custody?”
“Absolutely. Tommy is thriving. He’s happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. Rachel is an excellent mother who puts his needs first every single day.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant.” She sits down.
Derek’s lawyer stands for cross-examination. “Lieutenant Archer, isn’t it true that you have a personal relationship with Ms. Morgan beyond just family friendship?”
My jaw tightens. “I’m friends with the family, yes.”
