Chapter 15 - MARLENE’S TRIAL BEGINS
The child-abuse evidence came first.
No trust diagrams.
No millions.
Just the study.
I testified.
“I saw her hand over Lily’s mouth.”
“What did you do?”
“Slapped Marlene once and moved between them.”
“Did Lily appear able to leave before you entered?”
“No.”
Cross-examination:
“You were angry with your mother over money by the time of trial.”
“Yes.”
“Did that affect your memory of the original scene?”
“No.”
“You benefit financially if she loses influence over the Mercer transaction.”
“No.”
Technically Lily’s trust benefited.
Not me.
The defense tried to blur.
Rachel’s records clarified.
Lily did not testify live.
Her forensic interview admitted under applicable child-witness procedures after judicial review and defense opportunity to challenge.
Marlene’s attorney argued:
She was calming a screaming child.
Red shoulder marks could come from ordinary restraint.
Her phrase:
“You saw nothing”
could refer to a private document not meant for children.
Then credibility dossier.
Prepared before the incident.
That made “she always lies” look less spontaneous.
The prosecutor showed the files.
VISUAL FABRICATION.
LYING PATTERN.
The defense said grief-related concerns.
Possible.
Then one file creation date:
May you like
the day after Marlene removed Claire’s letter.
The pattern tightened.
