Chapter 6 - THE CUSTODY HEARING
The family courthouse was packed the next morning.
Chad had made sure of that.
Reporters waited outside.
Camera crews lined the sidewalk.
Someone had leaked the custody hearing.
When I entered, whispers followed me.
There she is.
The CFO.
The thief.
The mother who stole two million dollars.
Chad stood beside his attorney wearing a gray suit and a sad expression.
He had always been good at looking wounded.
Brenda sat directly behind him.
She wore my bracelet.
I almost smiled.
That arrogance would help me.
The judge entered.
Everyone stood.
Chad's attorney spoke first.
“My client is deeply concerned for the emotional and physical safety of his six-year-old son.”
I watched Chad lower his head.
Performance.
“He has been forced to explain that the child’s mother was convicted of a serious financial crime.”
Forced.
What a beautiful word.
“Our position is simple. Until Ms. Mercer’s criminal issues are resolved, the child should remain with his father.”
The judge looked at me.
“Ms. Mercer?”
My attorney stood.
“Your Honor, we have significant new evidence challenging the validity of that conviction.”
“This is not criminal court.”
“I understand.”
“Then focus on the child.”
I rose before my attorney could stop me.
“Your Honor, may I answer one question?”
The judge studied me.
“One.”
I pointed toward Chad.
“If my husband is so concerned about our child’s stability, can he explain why he moved his mistress into our son’s home less than forty-eight hours after my sentencing?”
Chad's face tightened.
His attorney stood.
“Objection.”
The judge held up a hand.
“Sit.”
I continued.
“Can he also explain where he obtained the money to buy Ms. Cole a new Mercedes?”
Brenda shifted.
“And perhaps he can explain why she is currently wearing jewelry taken from my locked bedroom.”
Brenda immediately covered her wrist.
Too late.
The judge noticed.
Chad leaned toward his lawyer.
The courtroom changed.
People love villains.
But they love sloppy villains more.
The judge looked at Chad.
“Mr. Mercer?”
“It was a gift.”
“Whose gift?”
“Mine.”
“With what funds?”
“My income.”
My attorney stood.
“Your Honor, we have bank records indicating Mr. Mercer’s declared income would make that purchase highly unusual.”
Chad glared at me.
For one brief second, his mask slipped.
The judge ordered financial disclosures.
Then she turned toward me.
“Where are you staying?”
“With my father.”
“Name?”
The courtroom went silent when my attorney said:
“Christopher Lindqvist.”
Chad's face went white.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
So my mother had been right.
He knew exactly who my father was.
The judge looked over her glasses.
“The Christopher Lindqvist?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
Brenda whispered something.
Chad grabbed her wrist.
Hard.
The judge ultimately ordered temporary shared custody supervised through approved exchanges.
Not victory.
But Chad didn't get what he wanted.
Outside, he caught me near the elevators.
“You think your daddy can save you?”
I turned.
“Apparently you thought so too.”
His jaw tightened.
“You should have told me.”
“That he was my father?”
“Yes!”
There it was.
Entitlement.
Not love.
Not betrayal.
Entitlement.
“You married me,” I said. “Not my father.”
“I married a liar.”
“You framed me.”
His face changed.
Only for a second.
But a nearby reporter heard it.
“What did she say?”
Chad stepped closer.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
“I know you stole my bracelet.”
“That isn't what I mean.”
He lowered his voice.
“Walk away from this, Genevieve.”
“Walk away from my son?”
“From the investigation.”
I stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because there are people involved who make your father look harmless.”
I almost laughed.
“Victor Sloane?”
Chad froze.
That was all the confirmation I needed.
The elevator doors opened.
Before I stepped inside, Chad whispered:
“If Victor finds out your mother told you his name, she’s dead.”
I faced him.
Then my phone rang.
Christopher.
I answered.
May you like
His first words were:
“Your mother is missing.”
