Chapter 17 - THE TRIAL BEFORE THE TRIAL
Doreen was denied bail.
For the first time in decades, she could not leave when a conversation became uncomfortable.
The preliminary hearing began six weeks later.
Celia walked into court on her own.
Her pregnancy had reached thirty-seven weeks.
Abram stayed half a step behind her.
Not because she needed help.
Because he had spent too many nights remembering the shed.
Reporters filled the hallway.
Doreen entered through another door.
She looked at Celia’s stomach.
Then at Abram.
No expression.
Martin Vale had accepted a plea agreement contingent on full cooperation.
Howard Kessler had done the same.
Seth Rourke faced separate charges for witness intimidation, surveillance, and attempted evidence destruction.
Doreen stood alone.
The prosecutor began with the shed.
The dashcam video played.
Doreen closed the door.
Attached the padlock.
Checked it.
Walked away.
Nobody in the courtroom moved.
Then the prosecutor played Celia’s recording.
Doreen’s voice.
“If she won’t tell me where the files are, then I move her.”
Martin’s voice.
“This is exactly what happened with Elias.”
Then the prosecutor showed the photograph of Doreen holding the syringe beside Elias.
Then Samuel testified.
Then Margaret.
Doreen watched her former sister-in-law with contempt.
Margaret looked directly at her.
“You told everyone I was unstable because I found the money.”
Doreen’s attorney objected.
The judge allowed the answer within limits.
Margaret continued.
“You took my life from me.”
Doreen whispered something to her lawyer.
Margaret saw her.
For once, she did not look away.
Felix testified next.
He admitted everything.
His debt.
His silence.
The lake house.
The years of shame.
Doreen’s attorney attacked him.
“Mr. Mercer, you blame your mother because you cannot accept responsibility for your own financial misconduct.”
Felix answered.
“No.”
“You allowed company funds to pay your private debts.”
“Yes.”
“You concealed that fact.”
“Yes.”
“You lied to your brother.”
“Yes.”
“Then why should anyone believe you now?”
Felix looked toward Abram.
“Because I’m done protecting myself with lies.”
Doreen’s attorney paused.
Felix continued.
“My mother taught me shame was more dangerous than dishonesty.”
“She was wrong.”
Abram lowered his eyes.
For the first time, Felix sounded free.
Celia testified on the second day.
Doreen watched her approach the stand.
Celia’s voice remained steady.
She described the deed.
The kitchen.
The stolen phone.
The spray.
Waking in darkness.
The two bottles of water.
The three protein bars.
Doreen’s visits.
The messages sent from Celia’s phone.
The threats.
The six days.
The scratching at the door.
Then the prosecutor asked,
“What did you believe would happen if Abram had not come home when he did?”
Celia looked toward Doreen.
“I believed she was going to move me somewhere else.”
“Why?”
“I heard her say she was preparing a car.”
Doreen’s attorney stood.
“Hearsay.”
The prosecutor pointed toward the recording.
“We have the corresponding audio.”
The judge allowed it.
Doreen’s own voice filled the courtroom.
“Tomorrow night is too late.”
“Get the car ready.”
Celia looked down.
Abram gripped the bench.
Then Doreen’s attorney approached.
“Mrs. Mercer, you and Abram were having marital problems at the time.”
“Yes.”
“You had argued.”
“Yes.”
“You told Doreen about those arguments.”
“Yes.”
“You were emotionally distressed.”
“I was upset.”
“You considered leaving your husband.”
Celia paused.
Abram looked toward her.
Doreen’s attorney smiled slightly.
“Didn’t you?”
Celia answered.
“For one night.”
Abram felt the words hurt.
But he understood why she told the truth.
The attorney continued.
“So Doreen’s claim that you wanted space was not entirely fabricated.”
Celia looked toward him.
“Wanting space from my husband is not asking his mother to drug me and lock me in a shed.”
A murmur moved through the courtroom.
The attorney’s smile disappeared.
He tried again.
“You had access to Doreen’s computer without permission.”
“Yes.”
“You copied private files.”
“Yes.”
“You intended to use those files against her.”
“I intended to show my husband someone forged his signature.”
“Someone.”
Celia looked directly at Doreen.
“His mother.”
Doreen’s jaw tightened.
The attorney sat down.
The prosecution saved Elias’s video for last.
Abram had seen it three times.
The fourth was not easier.
Elias fell.
Doreen refused the ambulance.
The syringe entered the IV.
Then Elias spoke.
“Tell my sons…”
“I was going to choose him.”
Abram closed his eyes.
When the video ended, the judge sat silent for several seconds.
The ruling came that afternoon.
Doreen would stand trial on charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated assault, attempted fraud, conspiracy, evidence tampering, and homicide-related offenses connected to Elias’s death.
Doreen did not react.
Until the judge mentioned witness safety.
Then she turned toward Abram.
She mouthed four words.
Luke is not yours.
Abram froze.
Doreen smiled.
After court, Abram told Morgan.
Morgan frowned.
“She’s trying to provoke you.”
“Maybe.”
“Do not let her.”
“I won’t.”
But the sentence stayed with him.
Luke is not yours.
Abram called Rachel.
She answered.
“Everything okay?”
“I need to ask you something.”
Rachel immediately understood.
“She said Luke isn’t yours.”
Silence.
Rachel exhaled.
“She tried that before.”
Abram’s heart tightened.
“What?”
“Three weeks ago.”
“When she asked for his birth certificate?”
“Yes.”
“She told me Elias had doubted paternity.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
“How do you know?”
“Because Elias asked Luke if he would ever consider DNA testing.”
Abram stopped.
“And?”
“Luke agreed.”
Abram sat down.
“When?”
“Seven years ago.”
“What was the result?”
Rachel stared through the screen.
“Ninety-nine-point-nine percent.”
Abram closed his eyes.
Doreen had one move left.
Doubt.
Even from jail.
Especially from jail.
Rachel continued.
“I still have the report.”
Abram laughed weakly.
“Of course you do.”
“I learned to keep paper after meeting your mother.”
Abram smiled.
Then Rachel’s expression changed.
“Luke watched part of the hearing.”
Abram went still.
“What did he say?”
“He asked about you.”
Abram swallowed.
“And?”
Rachel smiled faintly.
May you like
“He wants to meet.”
---
