Chapter 11 - SABRINA TAKES THE STAND
The trial began four months later.
Sabrina entered the courtroom wearing a simple navy suit.
No diamonds.
No designer handbag.
No arrogant smile.
Her defense blamed Victor.
Victor blamed Sabrina.
The prosecution had evidence against both.
But Sabrina insisted on testifying.
Her attorney advised against it.
She did it anyway.
At first, she was convincing.
She described herself as a woman manipulated by Victor Dane.
She claimed she had believed Claire was dangerous.
She claimed the baseball bat was for protection.
Then the prosecutor asked one question.
“Protection from whom?”
“A stranger who entered the property.”
“A seven-year-old stranger?”
Sabrina hesitated.
“Yes.”
The prosecutor displayed a photograph from Sabrina’s secret office.
Lily leaving school.
“Then why had you been photographing this stranger for five months?”
Sabrina said nothing.
Another photograph.
Claire at the grocery store.
Another.
The motel.
Another.
Lily at a playground.
The prosecutor walked closer.
“You knew exactly who Lily was.”
“No.”
The recording played.
Sabrina’s own voice filled the courtroom.
“The child can never reach him.”
Several jurors looked at her.
Sabrina’s composure cracked.
Victor’s testimony followed.
Then Maria’s.
Then Detective Hale’s.
Finally, Claire took the stand.
Sabrina stared at her.
Claire did not look away.
The prosecutor asked what Sabrina had taken from her.
Claire thought for a moment.
“Eight years.”
Sabrina shifted.
“Eight years with my brother.”
Claire continued.
“Eight years when my daughter could have known her uncle.”
Her voice remained steady.
“Eight birthdays.”
“Eight Christmases.”
“Eight years believing that contacting my own family might put my daughter in danger.”
The prosecutor nodded.
“No further questions.”
Sabrina’s attorney approached.
“Ms. Carter, isn’t it true you could have contacted Ethan?”
“Yes.”
“But you chose not to.”
“I was afraid.”
“Because Sabrina told you Ethan was dangerous?”
“Yes.”
“So ultimately, you made that decision.”
Claire looked at him.
“Yes.”
The attorney smiled.
Then Claire continued.
“And Sabrina made sure every decision I made was based on a lie.”
His smile disappeared.
No further questions.
Outside the courtroom, Lily waited with Maria.
When Claire emerged, Lily ran into her arms.
Ethan watched them.
Hale approached.
“Jury has everything now.”
“How long?”
May you like
“Could be hours.”
It took forty-three minutes.
