Chapter 7 - The Clock Above the Judge
Claire continued her cross-examination.
“Did Sarah pay the legal fees after Jason’s arrest?”
“I do not remember.”
Claire placed the receipt on the evidence screen.
“Does this refresh your memory?”
My mother looked down.
“Yes.”
“Did Sarah pay for repairs to the family home?”
“Yes.”
“Did Sarah threaten Thomas Mitchell?”
“I believe she did.”
“Did you witness a threat?”
“No.”
“Did Thomas ever tell you Sarah threatened him?”
“No.”
“Then your belief came from Jason?”
My mother’s attorney objected.
The judge allowed the question.
My mother glanced toward my brother.
“Yes.”
Claire approached the witness stand.
“Mrs. Mitchell, you testified that Sarah’s military service was an elaborate lie. Did you attend her commissioning ceremony?”
“Yes.”
“Did you receive military correspondence from her?”
“Yes.”
“Did military officials contact you after she was injured?”
“Yes.”
“Did you visit her at a military medical facility?”
“Yes.”
The courtroom became completely silent.
Claire let several seconds pass.
“Then when you said she had never served, you knew that statement was false.”
My mother’s voice dropped.
“I meant she did not serve the way she claimed.”
“That was not your testimony.”
“I was confused.”
“You were under oath.”
Jason whispered urgently to his attorney.
Claire returned to our table.
The judge asked whether she had further questions.
“Not at this time, Your Honor. We are waiting for an authorized witness.”
The judge looked toward the clock.
It was 10:39.
Our federal authorization had been approved at 8:15 that morning, but the witnesses were traveling from a secure briefing location. Evelyn had told Claire they would arrive before eleven.
Jason’s attorney stood.
“This jury has waited long enough. The supposed witnesses have not appeared. We request that the evidentiary phase be closed.”
Claire argued for additional time.
The judge gave us ten minutes.
My mother stepped down at 10:42.
As she passed our table, she avoided my eyes.
I poured water into a paper cup.
My left hand trembled slightly, an old result of the nerve injury. I folded the damp rim inward with my thumb until the movement stopped.
Then I gave Claire the sealed authorization I had signed that morning.
Jason leaned toward me while the attorneys spoke at the bench.
“Nothing is coming to save you,” he whispered.
I looked at him.
“I am not the one who needs saving.”
His expression flickered.
At 10:46, the judge returned to his seat.
“I will allow one final minute,” he said. “After that, the evidentiary record will close.”
The clock changed.
10:47.
The courtroom doors opened.
Colonel Hayes entered first.
Lieutenant Colonel Shaw followed him.
Evelyn Cross came last, carrying the classified case.
My mother stood without being told.
Jason stopped breathing.
Colonel Hayes faced the court.
“Your Honor, Captain Mitchell’s service was sealed because her final mission involved someone sitting inside this courtroom.”
Jason’s chair struck the floor.
May you like
The truth had arrived.
And it was carrying evidence.
