Chapter Thirty-Two
Maris barely held it together until they got out of the courtroom.
Jarrod and Nate shared a look and they all sat down at the small table.
"Maris? We are going to have to expose JD on the stand. Catch him in a lie? It's going to be our best strategy."
She just nodded, "Jarrod, am I going to lose James David?"
He sighed, "It's very possible with his new marriage and his oratory. Did you have any idea he was married?"
"No, not at all."
"OK, let's think about our next move this afternoon."
"Is there anything I can do to stop him?"
Nate took her hand, "Be brave sweet lady. This isn't over. My advice is to hold on. I truly believe even if you went back to his home today, he would put you in a sanatorium. The trunks were revengeful no matter his explanation. He wants to hurt you, Maris. Don't give up."
"There isn't a way to marry Nick and keep my son?"
"I just don't know Maris. The law has always been in his favor. Women have no custody rights."
Jarrod added, "He has no proof that David wished his son to be with his father. After all, I have learned about your late husband, he defied JD at every turn."
"Yes—except marrying me to keep his trust; money was important to him. I think I only saw my husband a dozen or so times. He never seemed too interested in his son, either."
Nate and Jarrod shared a look of disgust at what Maris had been subjected to."
"Maris? How did David die?"
"I don't know. Was told that he drowned on a gambling boat in the bay. Servants and others would whisper but be quiet when I came around. Brynnie said he was drunk."
"JD would fly into a rage when his son's name was mentioned."
Nate nodded at Jarrod realizing his strategy.
"Maris, we have to anger him. Show the judge he isn't who he appears."
"I am going to have to bluff during cross-examination. I haven't got a card to play so I have to act like I do. It's a dangerous game, Maris but—-"
"I trust you, Jarrod."
—-&—
Jarrod made a quick run to the water closet. He went into a private stall and sat down. He pulled his flask from his briefcase and took a shot of scotch. Maris's and Nick's trust in him was overwhelming his mind.
"Please Lord, help me figure out a way to keep Maris with her son—and give my brother some happiness. Please."
The scotch warmed on the way down, "the Brits call this Dutch courage. I just need something to settle my gut-before battle."
—&—-
Jarrod walked into the room with the Barkley charm in place. He nodded toward the judge and left the briefcase at the desk. He smiled at Maris and she smiled back.
He walked briskly to the witness stand, "Mr. Autonberry, let's not waste the judge's gracious use of his court time."
JD was still sitting at the table with his counsel. He frowned at Jarrod's tone.
"Impertinent" was mumbled audibly.
"Thank you Mr. Barkley for respecting my time," the judge added as JD walked up annoyed to be summoned by Jarrod.
"Mr. Autonberry, I have SEVERAL questions about your testimony."
"Well let me be sure and clear those up, Barkley" in a surly tone.
Nate caught Maris's eye. "This is what we want." in the slightest whisper.
"First of all, you mention your son, David. I understand you weren't even on the best of terms. Your lawyer Mr. Peterson shared that with me months ago. You called him a reprobate? If my memory serves me well."
Peterson blanched. The young lawyer cut him a look of anger. JD looked at Jarrod with unadulterated hate.
"My son and I had a complex relationship. Fathers and sons often clash."
"Agreed. But I understand David left your home at age 13 for boarding school in Connecticut. He was released from one every year until he was eighteen. Then three colleges. Few skirmishes with the law. Gambling? Alcohol? Destruction of property. Loans in your name? What else have I missed?"
JD looked at him with sheer rage.
"Did I miss any? Promiscuous? Libertine? High roller? Salons? Venery?"
A vein began to bulge in his cheek.
"Is any of this fake or correct information? I could call witnesses."
"I prefer the past to stay in the past."
"I understand that sir, but you clearly remembered his words to keep his son from his very mother. Do you have any documents with his name on such agreements?"
"I will!" he spat.
"You have or you will? Verb tense could insinuate creating such a document or procuring one or simply ordering your safe open."
"I have." with undisguised malice in his voice.
"Good, just to clear up our conjugations."
"Will it be like the surprise will and testament that appeared of a twenty-one-year-old Maris last time? The one with the addendum?"
"Objection your honor!"
"Sustained, Mr Barkley. I allowed it into evidence."
"My apologies, Judge."
JD's face was twisted in anger. Jarrod hoped the judge could see how quickly his mood could be manipulated.
Nate glanced over and the opposing legal team was engrossed in Jarrod's interrogation themselves. They had never heard someone talk to JD that way.
The judge was looking towards the silent table for an objection to no avail.
Jarrod continued with a smile that unnerved JD.
"So to be clear, you believe your son wants you to be the guardian of his son?"
"That's what I said."
"And taken away from his mother?"
"Yes."
"I will wait for such irrefutable proof provided in the disclosure."
"You will get what I give you." in a gruff tone.
"Objection uh oh—- leading question." Branch stammered.
"Overruled, and next time have a better objection." the judge conveyed.
Jarrod smiled again at JD, "Let me change the conversation. Why do you not want your daughter-in-law to marry my brother? This is the crux of this suit."
JD narrowed his eyes, "He isn't good enough. No one is for my Maris."
"Oh?" Jarrod raised his eyebrows and looked at the judge.
"And she's not able to make such decisions. She is a child."
"Hmmmmm, I see a very capable thirty-four-year-old woman who navigates social events, raises roses and orchids, serves as an auxiliary docent at the prestigious San Francisco Arboretum, represents Autonberry Assets in public events—-even with the Astors and Morgans in Rhode Island—to an adored mother of your grandson. He is bright, well-mannered, astute, a hunter and fisherman—-horseman, archer, academic leader on campus. Typically there are some examples of mental instability in a home—-but none in hers. Not one. Until she decided to leave your home for Nick Barkley."
JD stayed stoic.
"We all agree she has raised the boy well. You did earlier as I recall. But under your tutelage, your son David had run-ins with the law, problems in proper society, no vocation, no parental involvement with young James David, no affection for his lovely wife. A questionable death? Is this what you want for your grandson?"
JD's face was red and his veins bulged out. He clenched his fist and held his breath.
"Mr. Barkley, I have warned you—you must have a question. You are doing quite a bit of testifying."
"My apologies, Judge Turner."
"Any cross-examination?"
"No sir."
"Let us recess for the day."
JD passed Jarrod and hissed, "You will be sorry."
