Chapter 8: The Secret Recording
Chapter 8: The Secret Recording
The second day of testimony was supposed to strengthen Caroline's case.
Instead...
It shattered what remained of Juliette's defense.
The courtroom overflowed long before the hearing began. Reporters lined every row. Television cameras waited outside the doors, broadcasting every update live. Across the country, millions followed the trial that had already become known as The Mercer Fire Case.
Juliette entered wearing a plain navy suit instead of designer couture.
The glamorous bride who had dominated magazine covers only two days earlier was gone.
She looked exhausted.
Her hands trembled as she took her seat beside her attorneys.
Across the aisle, Caroline remained calm.
She carried only a thin folder.
Nothing more.
The prosecutor stood.
"Your Honor, the People call Mae Holloway."
The courtroom doors opened.
A woman in her sixties slowly walked toward the witness stand.
She wore no jewelry.
No expensive clothes.
Only quiet dignity.
Juliette's shoulders stiffened.
Mae Holloway.
The nurse who had disappeared six years ago.
After taking the oath, Mae looked directly at the jury.
"I worked in the emergency department the night Caroline Mercer was admitted."
She paused.
"She was alive."
Every juror leaned forward.
"She suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, but she was stable."
The prosecutor asked, "What happened next?"
Mae took a deep breath.
"The following morning, two attorneys arrived."
"Who did they represent?"
"The Mercer family."
Douglas lowered his head.
Mae continued.
"They asked the hospital to classify Caroline as an unidentified victim."
Gasps echoed through the courtroom.
"They claimed it was necessary to protect the family's privacy."
"Were you suspicious?"
"Immediately."
Mae reached into her purse.
"I made a decision that changed my life."
She handed a small digital recorder to the prosecutor.
"This belonged to me."
The prosecutor carefully held it up.
"I secretly recorded my conversation with one of the attorneys."
Juliette's lawyer shot to his feet.
"Objection!"
"Foundation!"
The judge calmly replied,
"Overruled."
The courtroom speakers crackled.
Then...
A man's voice filled the room.
"As long as the older sister disappears, the inheritance issue disappears with her."
Another voice asked,
"What if she survives?"
The first man answered without hesitation.
"Then make sure no one knows."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Douglas's face turned ghostly white.
"I've never heard that recording..."
The prosecutor pressed another button.
A third voice entered.
Soft.
Female.
Calm.
"Juliette says this has to end before Caroline wakes up."
Juliette froze.
The blood drained from her face.
"No..."
Her whisper was barely audible.
"No..."
The recording continued.
"If the hospital asks questions, tell them the family wants a private transfer."
Click.
The audio ended.
The courtroom exploded.
Reporters rushed toward the hallway.
Spectators gasped.
Even the judge struck the gavel repeatedly.
"Order!"
"Order in the courtroom!"
Juliette stared at the defense table.
Her attorneys looked horrified.
One leaned toward her.
"Did you know about this recording?"
May you like
She couldn't answer.
Because she did.
