"You're sleeping with Ms. Morgan, aren't you?"
"I'm in a relationship with her, yes."
"So of course you'd say anything to help her keep custody."
"I'm under oath. I'm telling the truth about what I've observed."
"But you're hardly objective, are you? You have a vested interest in her winning this case."
"I have a vested interest in Tommy being with the parent who actually takes care of him. That's Rachel."
“So, your testimony might be biased in her favor?”
“My testimony is based on facts and professional observation. I’ve seen hundreds of parents in crises. Rachel Morgan is one of the best.”
He doesn’t push it further. Sits down.
“You may step down, Lieutenant.” Judge Harris makes a note.
I return to my seat. Rachel gives me the slightest nod.
The next hour is a blur of testimony. Jake takes the stand, talking about Rachel’s devotion to Tommy, how she moved back to Millbrook Falls specifically to give him a better life. Dorothy testifies that she watched Rachel with Tommy at the café and that Rachel is patient and loving. Even Tommy’s kindergarten teacher appears via video call, praising Rachel’s involvement in his education and his positive adjustment to the school.
Then Derek takes the stand.
His lawyer leads him through a rehearsed story about wanting to be more involved in Tommy’s life, emphasizing his stable job and suitable housing, as well as his concerns for his son’s welfare.
“Mr. Mitchell, when did you last see Thomas?”
Derek shifts. “It’s been a few months.”
“How many months, specifically?”
“Six. Maybe seven.”
“Seven months. And before that?”
“I saw him occasionally when Rachel and I were separating.”
“Occasionally.” Patricia pulls out a document. “According to Ms. Morgan’s records, you saw Thomas three times in the year after your separation. Three times in twelve months. Does that sound accurate?”
“I was dealing with a lot—”
“Yes or no, Mr. Mitchell.”
“Yes.”
“And during those three visits, did you pay child support?”
His lawyer objects, but Judge Harris overrules it. “Answer the question, Mr. Mitchell.”
“No. I was between jobs—”
“You were between jobs for an entire year?” Patricia’s voice is calm, deadly. “Yet according to your LinkedIn profile, you’ve been employed as a sales manager since two months after your separation from Ms. Morgan. Were you lying on your resume, or are you lying now?”
“I—it’s complicated—”
“It’s actually quite simple. You abandoned your son financially and emotionally for over a year. You made no effort to see him, support him, or be present in his life. And now that Ms. Morgan is facing temporary unemployment due to circumstances beyond her control, you’re suddenly interested in custody. Why is that?”
