Julian went pale before the folder was even opened.
The judge repeated the name she had just read from Marcus Hale’s witness list.
“Edwin Cross.”
For ten years, Julian had spoken that name only once in my presence.
He had been standing at the foot of my hospital bed, believing the medication had left me unconscious.
“Cross has been handled,” he had whispered into his phone.
“The lock is gone.
Iris remembers nothing.”
I remembered every word.
Now Edwin Cross stood inside the courtroom, thinner and older than I remembered, with a court officer beside him and a sealed evidence case in his hands.
He had been the maintenance supervisor at the first Vance Medical Technologies laboratory.
He was also the last person to inspect the emergency exit before the fire that nearly killed me.
Julian’s attorney rose quickly.
“Your Honor, this proceeding concerns dissolution of marriage and division of property.
Whatever theater opposing counsel has arranged is outside the scope of this hearing.”
Marcus did not raise his voice.
“The witness will establish that Mr.
Vance obtained control of the company through coercion, falsified records, concealed assets, and evidence connected to Mrs.
Vance’s injuries.
Every issue goes directly to the validity of the agreements he asks this court to enforce.”
The judge looked at Julian.
He had regained enough composure to put on his offended expression.
“My wife suffered a tragic accident,” he said.
“Now she is exploiting her scars because she knows the financial documents are against her.”
I watched Nora turn toward him.
It was a small movement, but I knew what it meant.
Until that morning, Julian had apparently told her the same story he told everyone else: a laboratory accident, an unstable wife, a devoted husband who had sacrificed years caring for me.
The judge ordered Edwin to take the witness chair.
He swore to tell the truth.
His hands trembled when he sat down.
Marcus approached him with the brass key I had placed on the table.
“Mr.
Cross, do you recognize this?”
Edwin stared at it for several seconds.
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“The emergency key for the west laboratory exit.”
Julian whispered something to his lawyer.
Marcus continued.
“Was that exit functioning on the night of the fire?”
Edwin swallowed.
“No.”
A murmur moved through the courtroom.
“Why not?”
“Because the locking mechanism had been altered.”
“By whom?”
Edwin looked at Julian.
“Mr.
Vance instructed me to replace the safety latch with a keyed lock.”
Julian surged to his feet.
“That is a lie.”
The judge struck her gavel once.
“Sit down, Mr.
Vance.”
“He is being paid,” Julian said.
“Ask him how much Iris promised him.”
