Chapter Fifty Eight

Trinity

I woke up the next morning, my heart pounding with fear. Last night with Stephen had been a whirlwind of intimacy and memories, leaving me more confused than ever. I was more nervous about today than I had been about facing Eames. I spent the morning with Benji and Lachie, who were doing their best to prepare me.

Lachie said, “Keep it short and sweet. Listen to each question, answer it fully and honestly, but don’t give more than you need to. Don’t go off on a tangent—it’ll just annoy the court. No one cares if you found out your ex cheated at Monopoly eight years ago. First, who hasn’t? Second, it’s not exactly damning evidence that they’re a liar. You get me?”

I just nodded at him.

Benji chimed in, “Answer the question and only the question. A wise man once told me this: If someone holds out a pen and asks, ‘Do you know what this is?’ all you need to say is ‘Yes,’ assuming you know it’s a pen. Don’t add, ‘Yes, it’s a pen, DUH!’ That’s giving more information than necessary. Don’t try to outsmart the lawyer asking the questions. And don’t worry about whether your answer is helping your case. Just tell the truth.”

Lachie added, “Eames will get a chance to cross-examine after Arlo’s done. Don’t ask the cross-examining ADA a question or be rude. Don’t argue, get angry, interrupt the lawyer, use sarcasm, or lose your temper. It looks like you’re trying to avoid answering the question. You had the perfect level of frustration yesterday. Your lawyer will protect you if you’re being mistreated.”

Benji said, “It’s okay if you don’t know the answer. It’s fine if you genuinely don’t know or don’t remember something. But don’t use ‘I don’t remember’ as an excuse not to answer. If you know the answer, answer the question.”

Lachie said, “Don’t guess, and don’t speak in absolutes. Don’t guess the answer to any question. That’s unwise. If you don’t know what you’re talking about—leave it. Also, be careful when the question deals with dates, time, etc. It’s best to provide an estimate like ‘approximately...’ Similarly, don’t speak in absolutes, unless they’re actually true. You’re likely to lose credibility and get tripped up on those kinds of statements if they’re false.”

Benji asked, “Are you okay? Is there anything else we can help with?”

I said, “No, I just mean, well . . . it’s a lot to take in, right?”

Benji said, “Sweetheart, just do what you did yesterday and you’ll be fine, I promise you.”

I said, “Thank you, Benji.”

I saw Stephen smiling at me softly before he walked over and knelt down next to me.

Stephen asked, “How you feeling, momma?”

I said, “Scared.”

Stephen said, “You got this, baby. You’re unbelievably strong, like no one I’ve ever known. And we’ll be there for you, okay? I promise.”

I said, “Thank you, Stephen.”

Stephen said, “I love you.”

I stroked his face softly. I wanted so badly to tell him I loved him. I felt so much for him—was that love? I didn’t know, because I didn’t remember what our love felt like. I didn’t want to mislead him or get his hopes up. I also didn’t want to hurt him or make him feel unloved. I leaned in and kissed him gently as I stroked his neck.

I said, “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Stephen said, “Thankfully, that’s never a problem we’ll face.”

Soon, Arlo came in to get us and we headed into the courtroom. As we all took our seats, Stephen grabbed me quickly before I walked into court with Arlo as he waited in the docks.

Stephen said, “You’re amazing, you’re strong, you’re everything I ever wanted and needed. You got this, baby. Don’t lose yourself, because the woman I married is a force to be reckoned with.”

I stroked his hair back from his face and kissed him deeply before taking my seat next to Arlo.

The bailiff said, “All rise, please.”

We all stood and waited for the judge to come in and take her seat before we all sat down.

Judge Sherer asked, “Any mentions before we proceed?”

ADA Eames said, “Yes, Your Honor.”

Judge Sherer asked, “What say you?”

ADA Eames said, “The prosecution requests that the other defendants in this case be removed from the courtroom prior to commencing, as any testimony given today by Mrs. Gotti could be prejudicial to their impending trials.”

Stephen said, “You dog! You know it’s not like that, she has amnesia!”

Judge Sherer said, “Mr. Gotti, one more outburst and you will leave me no choice but to remove you myself. Do I make myself clear?”

Stephen said, “Sorry, Your Honor.”

I saw Stephen still glaring at the ADA and I looked to Clint, pleading with him to calm Stephen down. I saw the ADA smirking, knowing she got the reaction she wanted.

Judge Sherer asked, “Based on this fact, I would have to agree with the ADA in this instance. Are there any objections?”

Arlo said, “Given the sensitive nature of Mrs. Gotti’s injury, I would argue that some familiarity would be detrimental to her testimony.”

Judge Sherer said, “The court is in recess for fifteen minutes while I confer with my notes.”

Everyone stood as the judge stepped out into her chambers. I quickly turned to Stephen, who was already leaning forward to meet me.

I said, “Stephen, you have to calm down. Don’t let her get to you. It’s what she wants.”

Stephen said, “I’m sorry, baby, I know. I’m just very protective of you, especially now.”

I said, “And I appreciate it, but you’re more help to me here than getting yourself in trouble, okay?”

Stephen said, “Okay, baby.”

I asked, “Do you think she has a strong argument here?”

Lachie said, “Sadly, yes. But it’s okay. Benji is prepping Arlo now for our counter-argument should the ADA’s request be successful.”

I asked, “Care to fill us in?”

Lachie was explaining what he and Benji came up with when the judge entered again and we all quickly rose. Once she was seated, we all sat back down.

Judge Sherer said, “I am ruling in favor of the ADA. Prior to this hearing commencing today, all parties that are defendants in the Crown’s case of the Disappearance and Murder of Mike Suarez undercover for agent Daniel Rodriguez will be escorted from the courtroom.”

I looked to Stephen pleadingly to calm down as he started flipping out.

Stephen’s voice rings out, sharp and clear. “Get your damn hands off me.”

I watch as he shakes off one of the court guards, his gaze locked on me.

“Please, baby, calm down,” I plead. “We’ll be okay.”

“I love you, Trinity,” he says, his voice filled with raw emotion.

As the guards attempt to escort Lachie and Benji out along with Clint and Stephen, I notice they remain seated. Then, Arlo’s voice cuts through the tension.

“Your Honor,” Arlo begins, “I believe the ruling stated that only the defendants in the Crown’s case would be removed. These two gentlemen are officers of the law, not defendants.”

ADA Eames interrupts, his voice filled with frustration. “Objection, Your Honor!”