Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN ON THE WITNESS LIST
Vanessa agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
That did not make her innocent.
Emily made sure everyone understood that.
The assault charge remained.
So did potential financial charges.
But Vanessa provided records.
Emails.
Passwords.
Recorded conversations.
And one name nobody expected.
Elaine Whitmore.
Preston’s mother.
Raymond read the email twice.
“Are you sure?”
Vanessa nodded.
“She knew about Mercer.”
Emily felt cold.
“My mother-in-law?”
Vanessa looked at her.
“She didn’t know about the offshore accounts.”
“But she knew Preston wanted me declared unstable?”
“Yes.”
Emily remembered Christmas dinners.
Elaine touching her stomach.
Elaine asking whether she was sleeping.
Elaine offering to arrange a postpartum nurse.
Elaine telling friends that Emily was sensitive.
A pattern formed.
“They were planting it socially.”
Raymond looked toward her.
Emily continued.
“Not just medically.”
Vanessa nodded.
“Elaine told Preston people needed to believe you were fragile before the baby arrived.”
Emily stood.
“I need air.”
She walked to the window.
Below them, Chicago moved through winter sunlight.
Vanessa spoke quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
Emily turned.
“No.”
Vanessa swallowed.
“You don’t have to accept it.”
“I don’t.”
Emily walked back to the table.
“You slept with my husband.”
Vanessa nodded.
“You helped him steal.”
Another nod.
“You assaulted me while I was pregnant.”
Vanessa’s eyes lowered.
“Yes.”
Emily looked at her for a long moment.
“But you are telling the truth now.”
Vanessa looked up.
“That does not erase what you did.”
“I know.”
Emily sat again.
“Then keep telling it.”
Vanessa nodded.
Raymond opened another email.
Elaine had written to Preston three weeks earlier.
She is becoming more emotional.
Good.
Do not reassure her too much.
Mercer needs honest observations.
Emily read it.
Then read it again.
Something inside her stopped hurting.
It hardened.
“When is the hearing?”
Raymond answered.
“Friday.”
Emily handed the paper back.
“I want Elaine there.”
Her attorney frowned.
“That may not be necessary.”
“It is.”
May you like
Emily looked toward Vanessa.
“And I want Preston to see who is sitting on the witness list.”
